Beech B36TC accident near Renton, Washington, August 1, 1999
On August 1, 1999 at about 8:28 pm local time, a Beech B36TC, registered N3151G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Renton, Washington (Renton Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was insufficient altitude available to return to the departure runway following the loss of power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 1, 1999 · about 8:28 pm local time
- Place
- Renton, Washington · Renton Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B36TC · all B36TCs on the register
- Registration
- N3151G · registry record · serial EA-483
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Approximately 1 minute after takeoff, the pilot reported to the control tower that he had a problem and needed to circle back around. The aircraft impacted the ground next to the departure runway about 35 seconds after this call. The pilot reported that at about 200 feet, the engine started to make a 'missing' sound, the fuel flow indicated zero and then became erratic, and the aircraft began a violent vibration. At the accident site, FAA inspectors found fuel in one of the aircraft's tanks, with the other tank breached open and a strong odor of fuel. In post-accident examinations of the aircraft's engine and propeller, the only anomalies reported were low compression on one cylinder and slight wear on one cam lobe. No discrepancies were noted in the aircraft's recent inspection and maintenance history.
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; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 350 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,417 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 29, 1999; 32 hours since
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-UB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: OR40 Canby OR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,042 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N3151G the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.