Beech J35 accident near Fredericksburg, TX
On November 6, 2020, a Beech J35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Fredericksburg, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 6, 2020
- Place
- Fredericksburg, TX
- Aircraft
- Beech J35 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 30.249°N, 98.945°W
- NTSB ID
- 20201107102245
Official records · CEN21FA043
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn November 6, 2020, about 1638 central standard time, a Beech J35 airplane, N617Q, and a Beech M35 airplane, N338Z, were involved in a midair collision near Fredericksburg, Texas. The J35 was destroyed, and the pilot was fatally injured. The M35 sustained substantial damage; the pilot and pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. Both airplanes were operated as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. The pilot of the M35 stated that the accident flight comprised four airplanes with the intent of practicing formation operations in an area north of Gillespie County Airport (T82), Fredericksburg, Texas. The flight of four airplanes were involved in formation flight training per Formation Flying Inc. (FFI) training standards. The J35 (the flight leader) and the M35 departed together, followed by the third and fourth airplanes. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot of the J35 gave the signal to retract the landing gear and began a right turn; however, the M35’s landing gear would not retract. The pilot of the M35 then moved to the “route” position (about 3 to 4 airplane widths away from the J35) to troubleshoot the landing gear problem. The pilots of the third and fourth airplanes departed the formation and subsequently proceeded to the practice area to maneuver as a two-airplane flight. The pilot of the J35 stated that he would follow the M35 back to the departure airport and directed the pilot of the M35 to take the lead position. The pilot of the M35 made a slight right turn away from the other airplane and leveled the airplane on a do
Probable cause
The pilot of the J35’s failure to maintain clearance from the M35, which resulted in a midair collision and the J35 pilot’s subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.
More accidents in TX
- Kubicek BB85, Jul 30, 2016
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- Beech B100, Nov 26, 1983
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Browse: Texas · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
