On June 17, 2002, a Beech V35A (registration N800MD) operated by Southwest Investment Company was involved in an aviation accident near Leslie, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During cruise, the aircraft experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and activated the auxiliary fuel pump, restarting the engine briefly before total power loss. The airplane landed short of the airport in a rough field.
Event Description
During cruise flight, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. In response, the pilot selected a different fuel tank and turned on the auxiliary fuel pump. The engine restarted and operated for approximately two minutes before experiencing a total loss of engine power. The pilot subsequently diverted the flight toward the nearest airport. The airplane landed short of the airport in a rough and uneven field.
Post-Accident Examination
Fuel samples taken from the main fuel tanks were blue in color, and no debris was noted in the fuel. Physical evidence of fuel was observed on vegetation along the energy path and in the vicinity of the main wreckage. A post-accident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation prior to the accident.
An X-AIR HAWK ultralight crashed in Chonburi, Thailand, killing the pilot and injuring a passenger. The accident was caused by deteriorated wing fabric and…
A Challenger II Special ultralight aircraft (U-B23) landed off-runway at Pai Airport, Mae Hong Son, on September 17, 2024, due to a gust of wind. No injuries…
The Polish aviation safety authority is investigating a serious incident involving an AT-3R100 aircraft that occurred on September 2, 2024. The investigation…
A SZD-48-3 glider suffered damage when its left wing struck a ground obstacle during a low final approach at EPWK on June 20, 2025. The pilot was uninjured.
A 39-year-old skydiver died after a hard landing near Leszno on May 1, 2026. The PKBWL preliminary report indicates the fatal impact resulted from a late,…
A student pilot crashed an SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider into the airfield fence during a solo training flight on June 6, 2026. The pilot was uninjured, but the…