Beech A36 accident near Tilden, Texas, October 6, 2013
On October 6, 2013 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1978 Beech A36, registered N2051N, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Tilden, Texas (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff from a wet and soft airstrip which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and aircraft control during the takeoff initial climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2013 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Tilden, Texas · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 UNDESIGNAT, built 1978 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N2051N · no longer on the register · serial E-1409
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the private airstrip was muddy and soft due to rain showers the night before. During the short field takeoff, the airplane drifted left of centerline and the left main landing gear encountered mud which impeded ground speed. The pilot applied right rudder control to re-center the airplane on the airstrip as the takeoff was continued. After rotation, the pilot kept the airplane in ground effect to build airspeed, however, he was approaching the end of the airstrip and trees. The pilot initiated a steep angle of attack which resulted in the airplane stalling about 60 feet above ground level. The airplane descended, collided with the ground, and cartwheeled before coming to rest. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Wet › Not specified
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Soft › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 740 hours in all; 460 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 718 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 6, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,249 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-520-BB15 (piston); 1,021 hours total
- Operator: J & J Aircraft LLC
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Tilden TX
- Destination: PEZ Pleasanton TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
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.