Beech 35-C33A accident near San Diego, California, June 1, 2024
On June 1, 2024 at about 8:55 pm local time, a 1967 Beech 35-C33A, registered N1259M, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near San Diego, California (Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Air airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 1, 2024 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- San Diego, California · Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Air · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 35-C33A, built 1967 · all 35-C33As on the register
- Registration
- N1259M · registry record · serial CE-175
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, while approaching the destination airport at the conclusion of a cross-country flight with the fuel selector set to the fullest tank, the engine began to run rough and lost partial power. Unable to reach the runway, the airplane landed hard short of the runway, resulting in substantial damage. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure. Fuel system continuity was confirmed, and a test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. The fuel strainer screen was removed and exhibited areas of corrosion. A water-detecting paste revealed the presence of water in the fuel. The fuel manifold was disassembled. The rubber diaphragm inside was brittle and exhibited peeling, and there were numerous rubber flakes found, but it could not be determined if the contaminants would have affected the operation of the unit. There was evidence of rust on the screen and in the cavity. The fuel strainer screen and the fuel cap (filler) receptacles also contained rust consistent with water in the fuel system. Although the investigation was unable to determine when the water was introduced into the fuel system, the presence of rust was consistent with long-term water exposure. Given the successful engine test run and the lack of anomalies of the fuel system, and the corrosion observed on some fuel system components, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of water contamination of the fuel system.
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
- Fuel contamination during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,630 hours in all; 37 in this make and model; 85 in the last 90 days; 27 in the last 30 days; 2,563 as pilot in command; 1,614 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 17, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,522.1 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2024; 26 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Tcm IO-520-B (piston); 8,499 hours total
- Operator: L A M Capital Management LLC
The flight
- Departed from: CVH Hollister CA at 7:01 pm
- Destination: MYF San Diego CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28R, 4,598 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KMYF
Weather report (METAR): KMYF 012053Z 25011KT 210V290 10SM CLR 20/12 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP128 T02000122 58006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2026. 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 | Investigative Supplemental Material | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N1259M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.