Beech A36 accident near San Diego, California, December 10, 2017
On December 10, 2017, a 1995 Beech A36, registered N248SB, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near San Diego, California (Montgomery-Gibbs Executive airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 10, 2017
- Place
- San Diego, California · Montgomery-Gibbs Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 UNDESIGNAT, built 1995 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N248SB · no longer on the register · serial E-2931
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airline transport pilot and three passengers departed on a cross-country flight in the single-engine airplane. About 2 minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported a total loss of engine power to air traffic control. He conducted a forced landing to a school yard and, during the landing sequence, the airplane impacted a fence and an adjacent residence. The airplane was destroyed by a postcrash fire. Examination of the airframe and the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; however, the scope of the examination was limited due to fire damage. Additionally, the amount of fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident and its distribution could not be determined due to fire damage. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available information.
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 (climb to cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,500 hours in all; 150 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,358.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 8, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-B (piston); 1,355 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA
- Destination: TOA Torrance CA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on August 9, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Materials Laboraroty Factual Report 18-036 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Video | 3GP file | Download |
| 5 | Transcript of Radio Communications | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | ATC Audio Communication | audio | View Download |
| 7 | Flight Track | video | View Download |
| 8 | Google Earth radar | map file | Download |
| 9 | Accident Site Examination Summary | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 36 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Airframe Examination Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 14 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 15 | Photos | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.