Beech F35 accident near Gladewater, Texas, February 5, 2023
On February 5, 2023 at about 7:16 pm local time, a 1955 Beech F35, registered N123JV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Gladewater, Texas (Gladewater Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 5, 2023 · about 7:16 pm local time
- Place
- Gladewater, Texas · Gladewater Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech F35, built 1955 · all F35s on the register
- Registration
- N123JV · registry record · serial D-4024
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On the return leg of a cross-country flight, while on final approach at the planned destination, the pilot stated that he experienced moderate turbulence while attempting to land. The airplane floated about halfway down the runway, so he executed a go-around. The pilot reported that the engine abruptly lost power during the go-around and the airplane only climbed about 100 ft above ground level. He maneuvered to avoid obstacles at the end of the runway and then the engine lost total power. He initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane’s right wing struck a tree. The airplane then impacted a pond and came to rest submerged in the water, with only the empennage and top of the fuselage visible above the waterline. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the total 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
- Unknown or undetermined during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 257 hours in all; 117 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 31, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,411.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor E225 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1M4 Haleyville AL at 4:05 pm
- Destination: 07F Gladewater TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,299 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 1:15 pm from KJXI, 10 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KJXI 051915Z AUTO 23006KT 10SM CLR 18/09 A3016 RMK AO2 T01770091
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on June 5, 2024. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB 6120 Attachment | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record A�� Pilot | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Examination Summary Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | 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.