Beech 35-B33 accident near Baker, Nevada, September 11, 2021
On September 11, 2021 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 1964 Beech 35-B33, registered N8983M, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Baker, Nevada (Baker Landing Strip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was 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 during the initial climb due to the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod bearing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 11, 2021 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Baker, Nevada · Baker Landing Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-B33, built 1964 · all 35-B33s on the register
- Registration
- N8983M · no longer on the register · serial CD-733
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The accident flight occurred after a mechanic replaced the exhaust pushrod for the No. 1 cylinder. After takeoff and during the initial climb, the engine lost total power. The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing in desert terrain. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 5 connecting rod strap exhibited fracture signatures consistent with fatigue cracks in multiple areas. The connecting rod also exhibited signs of heat distress. The No. 5 connecting rod bearing was severely worn, deformed, flattened, and darkened, consistent with high heat exposure. The general heat tinting and damage on the bearing, connecting rod, and crankshaft journal indicated that the No. 5 connecting rod bearing likely experienced frictional heating from insufficient clearance between the bearing and the journal. The insufficient clearance could have been produced by excessive wear on the bearing or journal, bearing surface damage such as spalling, or insufficient lubrication.
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 initial climb defining event
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,400 hours in all; 420 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2021; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550 (piston); 1,900 hours total
The flight
- Destination: HND Henderson NV
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 12,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.26 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KELY, 38 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KELY 111953Z AUTO 23014KT 10SM SCT070 BKN120 24/08 A3026 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT ALQDS SLP147 T02390083=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on September 27, 2023. 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 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report 22-075 | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Examination Report | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 4 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.