Beechcraft 35-C33 N18AR

Summary

On 18 July 2021 at about 14:50 local time, a Beechcraft 35-C33 registered N18AR was involved in an accident near Longmont, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 July 2021 at 14:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Vance Brand (LMO)

Coordinates

40.1706, -105.1771

Aircraft

Beechcraft 35-C33

Registration

N18AR

Category

Airplane

Year built

1965

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Longmont → Red Oak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN21LA325

1 person was seriously injured.

The airplane’s lack of climb performance after takeoff in high density altitude conditions for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was departing on a personal flight with a density altitude of 6,804 ft. After takeoff, the airplane’s climb rate “did not look normal,” and the pilot was not certain that the airplane would clear a house located along the departure path. He decided to execute a precautionary landing to a hayfield about 1/3 mile from the departure end of the runway. The pilot retracted the landing gear, and the airplane touched down and slid to a stop on its belly. Airplane performance data indicated that the expected initial rate of climb was about 780 ft per minute. Airframe and engine examinations did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to maintain the published rate of climb or to produce rated engine power. Therefore, the investigation was unable to determine the reason for the lack of climb performance. Regardless, the pilot’s decision to execute a precautionary landing under the circumstances was prudent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.