Beech S35 accident near Ashland, Oregon, February 3, 1994
On February 3, 1994 at about 8:45 pm local time, a Beech S35, registered N50VT, was destroyed in an accident near Ashland, Oregon (Pinehurst State airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED AND POOR SUPERVISION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 3, 1994 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ashland, Oregon · Pinehurst State · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech S35 · all S35s on the register
- Registration
- N50VT · no longer on the register · serial D-7642
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING TWO LOW PASSES OVER OR NEAR THE AIRSTRIP BEFORE THE THIRD PASS WAS PERFORMED. DURING THIS THIRD PASS, THE AIRPLANE WAS MANEUVERING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRSTRIP. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE PILOT INTENDED TO LAND. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDED NORMAL UP UNTIL JUST SECONDS BEFORE THE IMPACT WHEN THE ENGINE REVVED. DURING THE ENGINE INSEPCTION, NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,586 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 2,420 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,370 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 1993; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MFR Medford OR at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,850 ft by 30 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:50 pm from MFR, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.