Beech 35-B33 accident near Truckee, California, July 18, 2009
On July 18, 2009 at about 2:45 am local time, a Beech 35-B33, registered N9772Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Truckee, California (Truckee-Tahoe Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during initial climb for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 18, 2009 · about 2:45 am local time
- Place
- Truckee, California · Truckee-Tahoe Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-B33 · all 35-B33s on the register
- Registration
- N9772Y · no longer on the register · serial CD-686
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a preflight inspection, which included visually checking the fuel and oil levels. After starting the engine, all related instruments were in the normal operating range. The pilot then set up for a high-altitude takeoff, which included leaning the fuel mixture. He reported that the rotation was normal; however, at 400 feet above ground level (agl), the engine began to backfire and run rough. He enriched the mixture and engaged the auxiliary fuel pump with no change in engine operation. The stall warning horn sounded, so he lowered the nose and leveled the wings. The pilot stated that he thought he was at 300 feet agl when he began to look for a suitable landing area. He left the landing gear in the retracted position and held the airplane in a nose-high attitude until it impacted the ground. The airplane slid about 40 yards before it pivoted to the right and came to a stop. During the postaccident inspection, the engine was started and ran with no abnormalities noted. Additional testing of the fuel and ignition system components were accomplished. All components functioned on the manufacturer's test stands within specifications with no abnormalities detected.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,403 hours in all; 824 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 30, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,472 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 2, 2008; 20 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470-111B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TRK Truckee CA at 2:40 am
- Destination: WVI Watsonville CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:55 am from RNO, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.