Beechcraft CORP G36 accident near Tracy, California, December 15, 2025
On December 15, 2025 at about 3:26 pm local time, a 2014 Beechcraft CORP G36, registered N360FV, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Tracy, California (Tracy Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 15, 2025 · about 3:26 pm local time
- Place
- Tracy, California · Tracy Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft CORP G36, built 2014
- Registration
- N360FV · registry record · serial E-4035
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On December 15, 2025, about 1526 Pacific standard time, a Beechcraft G36, N360FV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tracy, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he departed Palo Alto Airport (PAO), Palo Alto, California enroute to Lake Tahoe, California following a recent engine overhaul that was completed about 10 hours prior to the accident flight. About 35 minutes into the flight, while maintaining straight and level flight at about 17,000 feet mean sea level, the pilot received an oil pressure alert and noticed a gradual decrease in engine oil pressure. In response to the oil pressure indication, the pilot reduced power to cool the engine and configured the airplane for best glide speed. The pilot then contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC), informed them of the emergency, and requested vectors to Livermore Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. Approximately five minutes later, the engine began to run rough, which was followed by a loud bang and white smoke along with oil on the engine cowling and windscreen. Smoke also entered the cockpit, significantly reducing visibility and requiring the pilot to adjust the cannula for maximum airflow. The pilot determined that reaching LVK was not possible and declared an emergency, requesting vectors to Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY), Tracy, California. The pilot attempted to glide to TCY but landed short, coming to rest in an irrigation canal after sliding through a field. Preliminary examination revealed the airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine compartment and fuselage. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.
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 (partial) during enroute (cruise) defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,059 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 24, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 4,011 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: PAO Palo Alto CA at 10:27 pm
- Destination: PAO Palo Alto CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,438 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 3:16 pm from KTCY, 2 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KTCY 152315Z AUTO 00000KT 3SM BR OVC006 07/07 A3027 RMK A01=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR26LA060.