Beech 35 accident near South Bend, Washington, May 2, 2010
On May 2, 2010 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Beech 35, registered N3174V, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near South Bend, Washington (Willapa Harbor Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were 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 takeoff for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2010 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- South Bend, Washington · Willapa Harbor Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 · all 35s on the register
- Registration
- N3174V · no longer on the register · serial D-608
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot established a higher-than-normal final approach speed due to gusting wind and subsequently touched down near the midpoint of the runway. Shortly after the airplane touched down, the pilot aborted the landing attempt and applied full engine power. The pilot reported that the airplane momentarily became airborne before losing engine power and settling back to the runway. The airplane subsequently overran the runway. Duringpostaccident examination the engine was started and developed power, operating normally between varied power settings from idle to full power. The engine could not maintain continuous operation and would experience a total loss of power after about one to two minutes. The reason for the non-continuous engine operation could not be determined. No other anomalies were noted during the functional test and exam.
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 takeoff defining event
- Landing area overshoot during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 153 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 27, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,950 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 16, 2009; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor E185 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PWT Bremerton WA at 9:30 pm
- Destination: 2S9 South Bend WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 3,000 ft by 52 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 12 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,200 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.