Beech 36 accident near Half Moon Bay, California, August 21, 2019
On August 21, 2019, a 1979 Beech 36, registered N134P, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Half Moon Bay, California. 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 total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 21, 2019
- Place
- Half Moon Bay, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 36 A36, built 1979 · all 36s on the register
- Registration
- N134P · no longer on the register · serial E-1527
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, on the morning of the accident, several preflight fuel samples from the airplane’s wing tanks contained debris, but he was eventually able to obtain clean fuel samples. He subsequently departed and made several stops at different airports before departing with another airplane as a flight of two for the purpose of taking photos. The pilot stated that he was performing a descending left turn when, about 3,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean, the engine lost total power but the propeller continued to windmill. The pilot was unable to restore engine power and ditched the airplane into the ocean. Immediately after impact, he and the passenger egressed and stood on the wing until the airplane sank into about 145 feet of water. The wreckage was not recovered and could not be examined; therefore, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 870 hours in all; 20 in this make and model; 55 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 870 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 20, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,651 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors IO-550-B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RHV San Jose CA
- Destination: Half Moon Bay CA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observation at 1:00 am from KHAF, 9 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
5 documents, released by the NTSB on May 19, 2022. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Notes and Record Excerpts | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Second to Last Video Pior to Engine Failure | MOV file | Download |
| 4 | Last Video Prior to Engine Failure- 1735 26 (iPhone Xs) 37A�21' 22.68'' N, 121A�57' 28.80'' W, 2335 Msl [20 Secs] 61B | MOV file | Download |
| 5 | Airplane Ditching- 1753 44 (iPhone Xs) 37A�19' 32.16'' N, 122A�24' 6.12'' W, 3044 Msl [20 Secs] | MOV file | 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.