Beech 35 accident near Currie, Nevada, April 24, 2020
On April 24, 2020 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1949 Beech 35, registered N8743A, was destroyed in an accident during emergency descent near Currie, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a forced landing which resulted in a hard landing for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2020 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Currie, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 A35, built 1949 · all 35s on the register
- Registration
- N8743A · no longer on the register · serial D-2165
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and two passengers departed on a cross-country flight. There was no significant weather, turbulence, or wind on the route of flight. When the airplane did not arrive at the destination, a search was initiated, and the wreckage was located in a remote mountain valley the following day. The airplane impacted level terrain at an elevation about 6,539 ft msl. The airplane impacted nose low in an approximate wings-level attitude on a southwesterly heading. The main wing fuel tanks and the auxiliary fuel tank were all damaged during the impact sequence; however, there was no fuel staining, no evidence of a post-impact fire, and no odor of fuel at the accident site. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed that the landing gear had partially pushed through the top portion of the wings and the flaps were extended at the time of impact, suggesting that the pilot may have been maneuvering for a forced landing and lost control resulting in a hard landing. The reason for the forced landing could not be determined based on the available evidence. The airplane’s fuel state at the time of departure could not be determined. The distance traveled on the flight route was consistent with consuming the fuel quantity in the main fuel bladders only. One of the family members had flown on the same route before and stated that sometimes they did not stop for fuel and completed the flight non-stop. There was no evidence that the pilot stopped to refuel during the accident flight. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented 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
- Hard landing during landing
- Miscellaneous/other during emergency descent defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 900 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors E185-E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CHD Chandler AZ at 4:33 pm
- Destination: TWF Twin Falls ID
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 11 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from KEKO, 65 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
13 documents, released by the NTSB on June 7, 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 | Weather Brief Information | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Email | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Flight Route | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Route Data | data file | Download |
| 7 | POH Fuel System Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 8 | POH Performance Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Accident Site Pictures | PDF, 2 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.
