As has been the case with all the other aircraft we have reviewed thus far, Bonanza pilots have been their own worst enemies. ... The V-tail pilots were responsible for about 73 percent (248 accidents) of accidents, and the straight-tail pilots weighed in at a whopping 83 percent (154 accidents).

How many Beechcraft Bonanzas have crashed?

According to FAA estimates, Bonanza/Debonair aircraft flew approxi- mately 20.2 million hours during the years 1983-1999. There were 1,143 accidents during that time, which averages out to 6.72 accidents per 100,000 hours for the Beech 35 model and 4.65 for the Beech 33/36.

Are Beechcraft airplanes safe?

Despite these issues, many Bonanza 35 owners insist that the aircraft is reasonably safe, and its reputation has lessened acquisition costs for budget-conscious buyers. In 1982, the production of the V-tail Bonanza stopped but the conventional-tail Model 33 continued in production until 1995.