Beechcraft A36
Aircraft Manufacturer: Beechcraft
Model: A36
About the Beechcraft A36
The Beechcraft Bonanza A36 is a single-engine, four-to-six-seat piston general aviation aircraft, part of Beech Aircraft Corporation's Model 36 Bonanza line introduced in 1968. More than 1,500 of the type remain on the U.S. civil registry, making it the most-registered model in Beechcraft's active lineup.
Across its FAA-registration exposure, the type records about 4.7 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years. Of 173 recorded accidents, 55 involved a fatality. Measured against comparable types matched on aircraft type, engine class, and seat range, the Bonanza's accident rate ranks higher than about 60% of that cohort.
About three-quarters of all A36s ever entered on the U.S. registry remain registered today.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 1151604 |
| Model | A36 |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 138 MPH / 120 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 6 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Beechcraft A36, receive attribution and a link. Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
132 exact, 42 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
56 fatal accidents.
32.2% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
36,484
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (174)· NUSN (10)· 135 (3)· PUBU (1)· UNK (1)
Recorded Accidents
All 196 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Valley, CA | N2882W | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | unknown | |
| Gulf Shores, AL | N66519 | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | unknown | |
| Murchison, TX | N3215U | Substantial | Fatal | Landing | unknown | |
| Sabine Pass, TX | N5677X | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | unknown | |
| Hondo, TX | N17826 | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Gulf Shores, AL | N855DC | Substantial | Serious | Approach | unknown | |
| Wirt County, WV | N60357 | Substantial | None | Enroute | unknown | |
| Coolin, ID | N41VH | Substantial | Minor | Takeoff | unknown | |
| Murfreesboro, TN | N15PM | Substantial | Serious | Approach | unknown | |
| Fredericksburg, VA | N2Z | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | unknown | |
| Greenville, NC | N566C | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | unknown | |
| Alton Bay, NH | N321TB | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Naples, FL | N8163F | Substantial | None | Takeoff | unknown | |
| East Aurora, NY | N36WP | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | unknown | |
| Doylestown, PA | N8152R | Substantial | Serious | Approach | unknown | |
| Pineville, LA | N3046K | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Amarillo, TX | N6931T | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Cullman, AL | N718FG | Substantial | None | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Naples, FL | N934PC | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Ronkonkoma, NY | N1089W | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | unknown | |
| Land O' Lakes, WI | N47RT | Substantial | Minor | Initial climb | Aircraft | |
| Augusta, GA | N629BE | Destroyed | Fatal | Initial climb | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Cleveland, OH | N1861M | Substantial | Serious | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Blackshear, GA | N729CW | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft | |
| Griffin, GA | N216R | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues |
Page 1 of 8 (showing accidents 1–25 of 196).