Beech E35 accident near West Yellowstone, Montana, August 12, 2013
On August 12, 2013 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Beech E35, registered N3226C, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near West Yellowstone, Montana (Yellowstone Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while aligning the airplane with the runway for landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's distraction during landing due to the effects of an inoperative generator.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 12, 2013 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- West Yellowstone, Montana · Yellowstone Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech E35 · all E35s on the register
- Registration
- N3226C · no longer on the register · serial D-3891
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a cross country flight, the pilot diverted to another airport. An airport employee who witnessed the accident reported that the pilot made several attempts to contact the airport over the common traffic advisory frequency; however, the pilot did not respond to replies from airport personnel. The airplane made a low pass heading south over the runway with the landing gear extended. After flying out of view, the airplane returned heading north over the parking ramp, about 50-75 feet above ground level. According to the witness, the pilot made a left turn to land but overflew final approach and was attempting to correct and line up with the runway when the airplane stalled and descended in a nose-low attitude to ground impact. It is likely that the critical angle of attack was exceeded during the turn, which resulted in the stall. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed several indications of an electrical problem: the manual fuel pump handle was extended from its stowed position; the manual landing gear hand crank was engaged; and, although the flap switch was in the extend position, the flaps were not extended. When the airplane's generator was placed on a test stand, it failed to produce power. No other mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine were found that would have precluded normal operation. The generator failure was likely the reason that the pilot diverted from his planned route. After the generator failed, limited electrical power would have remained for a short time via the battery, allowing the pilot to transmit over the radio. However, the radio's volume knob was found in the lowest volume setting, which was likely the reason that the pilot did not hear airport personnel responding to his radio calls. It is likely that the generator failure distracted the pilot and contributed to his failure to maintain airplane control while landing.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during enroute (cruise)
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › AC generation system › Failure
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring equip/instruments › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,516 hours in all; 35.9 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 12, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,016 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 2013; 48 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor E225 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Avery Enterprises Inc
The flight
- Departed from: U56 Rigby ID
- Destination: D60 Tioga ND
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 8,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 5:30 pm from WYS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR13FA368.