Beech F33A accident near Pomona, California, February 16, 2017
On February 16, 2017 at about 2:34 am local time, a 1977 Beech F33A, registered N222EN, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Pomona, California (Pomona airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 16, 2017 · about 2:34 am local time
- Place
- Pomona, California · Pomona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech F33A A, built 1977 · all F33As on the register
- Registration
- N222EN · no longer on the register · serial CE-744
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on a cross-country flight with no discrepancies noted during the flight. When the flight arrived near the destination airport, the engine quit. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the engine, but it did not restart. He diverted to an alternate nearby airport but had to perform an emergency off-airport landing. The pilot set up for landing, but because of the darkness he was not able to see exactly where to land. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence and seating area. The pilot reported approximately 40-45 gallons of fuel onboard at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and tail section of the airplane. An engine examination and engine ground run were performed, with no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation or production of horsepower.
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 enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,298 hours in all; 414 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,515.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 15, 2016; 11 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550-B4F (piston); 960 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0Q4 Selma CA at 1:22 am
- Destination: CCB Upland CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 1:47 am from POC, 1 miles away
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 NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.