Beech B36 N36LS accident near Ranger, Texas

Probable cause

A lack of climb performance after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and three passengers were departing on a cross-country flight from a turf runway. The pilot stated that he used a soft-field takeoff technique, and once the airplane became airborne in ground effect, it did not accelerate as expected. The engine was producing power; however, there was a lack of acceleration and a “mushy” feeling. The airspeed continued to decrease, and the pilot banked the airplane left to make an emergency landing off the left side of the runway. The pilot heard the airplane’s stall warning horn, and the airplane collided with small trees and came to rest upright.

A postaccident test run of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have prevented normal operation or production of rated power.

Data from an engine data monitor revealed that, during the accident takeoff, the engine speed reached about 2,700 rpm, the engine manifold pressure was 35.2 inches of mercury (inHg), and the fuel flow reached 40.5 gallons per hour (gph). A review of the previous three flights showed that the fuel flow regularly reached 38 to 40 gph during takeoff. The airplane flight manual stated that at 2,700 rpm and 36.0 inHg, the maximum fuel flow was 34.2 gph. The reason for this difference was not determined.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA004 for the full record.