Beech A36 accident near El Centro, California, November 14, 2007
On November 14, 2007 at about 11:50 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N435M, was substantially damaged in an accident near El Centro, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of maintenance personnel to properly secure the #2 cylinder through bolts. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 14, 2007 · about 11:50 pm local time
- Place
- El Centro, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N435M · registry record · serial E-2726
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb through 5,500 feet, the engine had a total loss of power. The pilot subsequently landed in an alfalfa field, during which the nose gear collapsed, and both wings sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the #2 through bolts and deck studs were loose, allowing the #2 bearing half to shift and cover the oil transfer tubes on the bearing support. This sequence resulted in the #2 main bearing failure due to oil starvation, and subsequent separation of the #2 connecting rod, which resulted in the loss of engine power. The airplane's #2 cylinder had been replaced 24 hours prior to the loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 439 hours in all; 258 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 60 in the last 30 days; 273 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,931.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2007; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXL Calexico CA at 11:40 pm
- Destination: WHP Whiteman Airpor CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from IPL, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.