What happened
On September 5, 2025, at approximately 0623 mountain daylight time, a Beech P35, registration N463T, was destroyed in an accident near Englewood, Colorado. The flight was being operated by Centennial Flyers as a Part 91 instructional flight, with a flight instructor and a student pilot receiving familiarization training. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries.
According to ADS-B data, the aircraft departed from runway 35R at Centennial Airport (KAPA) at approximately 0543. The aircraft remained in the traffic pattern and completed several landings. Tower audio recordings indicate that after a stop-and-go landing on runway 17L, one of the pilots stated they were "on the roll." This was the final radio transmission from the aircraft. Although the tower controller cleared the aircraft "the option," no further response was received. The controller later observed the aircraft's ident.
ADS-B data showed the aircraft stopped its climb and began a descent at 0622:15. The last recorded position was at 0623:05, at an altitude of approximately 5,900 feet mean sea level with a groundspeed of 77 knots. A witness located 1.5 miles south of the site reported hearing the engine stop completely. Another witness observed the aircraft flying on an unusual flight path at a lower altitude, noting a hard left bank toward the airport and a descent. Low-resolution video from nearby businesses showed the aircraft descending in a left bank before banking right just before ground impact.
The investigation
The aircraft impacted a paved driveway at an industrial facility. The initial impact points consisted of scrapes on the asphalt along a 280° heading. The main wreckage was located at the site, with portions of the right wing scattered south of the debris path. The left wing was found fractured near the wing root and folded aft. The wreckage pattern was consistent with the aircraft striking several concrete pole barriers in front of a generator unit before coming to rest on a 060° heading.
Investigators established flight control continuity from the cockpit to the aileron bellcranks and ruddervators. The dual control wheel chain was observed with the aileron yoke chain around its sprocket. At the time of the accident, the landing gear and flaps were both in the retracted position. The propeller remained attached to the engine, which had been displaced aft into the cockpit area.