Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing too fast and too far down the runway to safely stop it.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that he was flying a recently purchased airplane. During initial climb, the front right cockpit door opened. He decided that the condition was unsafe and entered a left downwind to land. The approach end of the runway had rising terrain, and the airplane was too high and fast. About 200 ft above ground level, he decided to abort the landing, but the engine sputtered, and he continued the landing. The airplane overran the runway and collided with a fence.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA102 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 19, 2018
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sedona, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Sedona (SEZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Beech 36
- N-number
- N636M
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1976
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.