Piston Beechcraft Accidents March 6 – March 19, 2025
Official information from FAA and NTSB sources (unless otherwise noted). Editorial comments (contained in parentheses), year-to-date summary and closing comments are those of the author. All information is preliminary and subject to change. Comments are meant solely to enhance flying safety. Please use these reports to help you more accurately evaluate the potential risks when you make your own decisions about how and when to fly.
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New reports this week
2/10 2145Z (1445 local time Monday afternoon): A student and instructor escaped injury in an off-airport landing along interstate highway I-80 in Skull Valley, Utah. From the NTSB preliminary report:
The flight instructor reported that this was the first flight in the accident airplane for both he and the student pilot. After an uneventful taxi and engine run up, they departed Spanish Fork Municipal Airport/Woodhouse Field (SPK) Spanish Fork, Utah, about 1310 while using the right-wing fuel tank. About twenty minutes later, the flight instructor demonstrated the procedure for switching fuel tanks and switched to the left fuel tank and continued the flight toward the Tooele-Bolinder Field/Tooele Valley Airport (TVY) Tooele, Utah. After another twenty minutes the flight instructor switched to the right tank.
About ten minutes after switching the right tank the flight instructor heard the engine make a “strange noise,” felt a jolt and the engine lost total power. The flight instructor took control of the airplane and initiated a forced landing to an open area near the Interstate 80. While troubleshooting, the flight instructor advanced the mixture to full rich, switched the fuel tank selector to the left tank, and ensured the fuel boost pump was on, however, was unable to restore engine power. During the landing roll, to soft, lightly vegetated terrain, the left main landing gear separated, and left wing impacted the terrain, which resulted in substantial damage [to] the aft fuselage.
N9324S (MC-345) is a 1975 B24R.
(“Engine failure in flight”; “Substantial damage”)
2/21 1600Z (1100 local Friday afternoon): While landing at Fort Pierce, Florida, a Be95 “veered off [the] runway…due to gusty winds, damaging the nose gear.” The solo pilot was unhurt; the Travel Air has “minor” damage. N1340Z (TD-474) is a 1961 B95A.
(“Loss of directional control during landing”)
3/9 1930Z (1530 local Sunday afternoon): Five aboard a turboprop-converted A36TC are reported to have “minor” injuries and the airplane was “destroyed” when the Bonanza “crashed shortly after takeoff into a retirement community, striking cars and [erupting into a] post-crash fire” at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. N347M (EA-253) was a 1981 A36TC.
(“Door open after takeoff/descent into terrain”—The Flight Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Network provides details:
A Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza (Soloy/Tradewind Turbines propjet conversion), N347M, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 26 at Lancaster Airport (LNS/KLNS), Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There were five occupants onboard who sustained varying degrees of injuries.
ADS-B data shows the aircraft on a climbing left turn before it descended into a parking lot. A post crash fire ensued. According to the air traffic control (ATC) recording, the pilot reported that “we have an open door and we need to return for a landing”, the controller responded “Bonanza 347M, roger you want to make it 31 or 26?”, the pilot answered “Tower I cannot… with the wind, so we are going to return to 26 we are going to need a downwind”. The controller cleared the pilot to land on 26, then the pilot readback correctly, but this was the last transmission from him. The controller then said “Bonanza 347M pull up!”. The aircraft crashed shortly after.
Winds were from 260° at 17 knots, gusting 30 knots. Temperature 12°C, dewpoint -4°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury.
Weather:
METAR KLNS 091853Z 26017G30KT 10SM SCT060 12/M04 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 26031/1815 SLP120 T01171039
METAR KLNS 091953Z 28017G29KT 10SM SCT060 13/M07 A2988 RMK AO2 PK WND 26032/1922 SLP119 T01281072
Forward cabin door opening events are not unique to Beech airplanes, but they are common in Bonanzas and derivative aircraft. An open forward door affects flight characteristics only slightly. Experiencing the scenario is, in my opinion, an essential part of any Bonanza/Debonair/Baron/Travel Air checkout.
The real hazard of a forward door coming open is pilot distraction. We can train pilots to manage that, including using the pilot isolation switch or pulling out a right seat occupant’s headset plugs to reduce wind noise transmitted to the pilot’s headset. The wild card is what passengers might do when this happens—not necessarily control interference, but the extreme distraction an unnerved passenger (or passengers) might create for the pilot.
The ASN account suggests the pilot rushed to get the airplane on the ground with very unfavorable winds. Some knowledgeable local sources report the airplane may not have climbed more than 200 feet above ground level before attempting to return to the airport.
See the video Rite of Passage: Door Open in Flight.
3/10 0311Z (2211 local Sunday night 3/9): The solo pilot of a Be19 escaped serious injury, and damage to the Sport is “unknown,” when the “aircraft experienced engine issues and crashed on a golf course” during a night flight at Rochester, Minnesota. N4784J (MB-220) is a 1967 A23-19.
(“Engine failure shortly after takeoff”; “Substantial damage” [on the basis of unofficial reports]; “Night”—The Aviation Safety Network adds:
A Beechcraft A23-19 Musketeer Sport III, N4784J, was substantially damaged when it impacted trees and terrain shortly after takeoff from Rochester International Airport (RST/KRST), Rochester, Minnesota.
The sole pilot onboard sustained minor injuries.
ADS-B data suggests the aircraft was conducting pattern work at KRST. The FAA reported that the aircraft crashed into a golf course after experiencing engine issues, which was consistent with the ADS-B data that showed the aircraft on a climbing right turn from runway 31 when it descended into the Oak Summit Golf Course.
Weather:
METAR KRST 100254Z 26009KT 10SM CLR 06/02 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP107 T00560022 51002
METAR KRST 100354Z 26010KT 10SM CLR 05/02 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP105 T00500017
3/14 1248Z (0748 local Friday morning): Two aboard a Be36 died “under unknown circumstances” during takeoff from Greenville, North Carolina. The Bonanza was “destroyed.” N566C (E-3621) was a 2005 A36.
(“Loss of control/IFR departure”; “Fatal”; “Airplane destroyed”; “IMC”—ASN reports:
A Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N566C, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 2 at Pitt–Greenville Airport (PGV/KPGV), Greenville, North Carolina. The two occupants onboard sustained fatal injuries.
At 0745:33, the airplane started its takeoff from runway 2. At 0747:08, the airplane was climbing through 425 ft when it conducted a right turn towards the west. At the conclusion of the turn, the autopilot was engaged. According to the data, the selected altitude was 3000 ft during the takeoff/climb portion. At roughly 0747:19, after the autopilot was engaged, the airplane descended to about 100 ft baro. At point during this sudden descent, the airplane had an average rate of about -3200 fpm.
At 0747:22, the airplane was able to recover from the rapid descent and entered a climb to about 925 ft. At 0747:52, the airplane was observed on a right turn towards east, likely heading back towards runway 26 at KPGV. 3 seconds later, the autopilot was engaged again. For the next 12 seconds, the airplane remained at 925 ft baro. At 0748:07, the airplane was observed on a climbing right turn towards 1050 ft. At 0748:16, the autopilot was disengaged, and the airplane entered a rapid descent, which turned into an out of control spiral. The last ADS-B return was recorded at 0748:28, the airplane was at 275 ft, 132 knots groundspeed, and descending 3600 fpm about 0.15 miles from the approach end of runway 26.
At 0730, about 18 minutes before the accident, the KPGV automated surface observing system reported a 5 knot wind from 040, 10 miles surface visibility, 500 ft above ground level (agl) overcast ceiling, temperature 8°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury. Distant lightning from the south was also mentioned.
At 0750, about 2 minutes after the accident, the KPGV automated surface observing system reported a 6 knot wind from 070, 10 miles surface visibility, temperature 8°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.08 inches of mercury. An AIRMET for IFR conditions was present in area of the accident.
Weather:
METAR KPGV 141110Z AUTO 04005KT 10SM OVC005 08/08 A3008 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S
METAR KPGV 141130Z AUTO 04005KT 10SM OVC005 08/08 A3008 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT S
METAR KPGV 141150Z AUTO 07006KT 10SM 08/08 A3008 RMK AO2
METAR KPGV 141210Z AUTO 07005KT 7SM 08/08 A3008 RMK AO2
3/15 1800Z (1400 local Saturday afternoon): A Be36 “landed gear up on the runway” at Lincoln, Maine. Both persons aboard were unhurt and the airplane has “minor” damage. N786TS (E-901) is a 1976 A36.
(“Gear up landing”)
3/16 0400Z (2100 local Saturday evening 3/15): A Be55 incurred a bird strike near Van Nuys, California. The pilot received “minor” injuries; two passengers were unhurt. The Baron has “substantial” damage. N994WY (TE-1001) is a 1974 E55.
(“Bird strike”; “Substantial damage”—the pilot describes the event, in which a large bird shattered the Baron’s windscreen, in this television news video).
3/16 2340Z (1740 local Sunday afternoon): A Be35’s landing gear collapsed while touching down at Denver, Colorado. The solo pilot was unhurt; damage is “unknown.” N7987R (D-8975) is a 1969 V35A.
(“Gear collapse during landing”)
New NTSB reports this week
2/10 B24R engine power loss in cruise flight at Skull Valley, Utah, cited above.
2025 SUMMARY
Reported Beechcraft piston mishaps, 2025
Total reported: 26 reports
Environment
Operation in VMC: 15 reports
Operation in IMC: 3 reports
Weather “unknown” or “not reported”: 9 reports
Operation at night: 4 reports
Most Serious Injury
“Serious” injury accidents (not involving fatalities): 0 reports
Fatal accidents: 2 reports
Aircraft damage
“Substantial” damage: 8 reports
Aircraft “destroyed”: 4 reports
BONANZA/BARON Series: 24 reports
By Aircraft Type
Be36 Bonanza 11 reports
Be35 Bonanza 5 reports
Be58 Baron 3 reports
Be95 Travel Air 2 reports
Be55 Baron 2 reports
Be33 Debonair/Bonanza 1 report
Environment
Operation in VMC: 12 reports
Operation in IMC: 3 reports
Weather “unknown” or “not reported”: 9 reports
Operation at night: 3 reports
Most Serious Injury
“Serious” injury accidents (not involving fatalities): 0 reports
Fatal accidents: 2 reports
Aircraft damage
“Substantial” damage: 6 reports
Aircraft “destroyed”: 4 reports
PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF CAUSE
(all subject to update per official findings):
FATAL and SERIOUS INJURY EVENTS 2 reports
Engine failure
Engine failure in flight 1 report (Be35)
Impact during/immediately after takeoff
Loss of control/IFR departure 1 report (Be36)
OTHER EVENTS 22 reports
Landing gear related mishaps 9 reports
Nose gear collapse during landing 5 reports (two Be35s; Be36; Be58; Be95)
Gear up landing 3 reports (all Be36s)
Nose wheel separation during landing 1 report (Be33)
Engine failure 5 reports
Engine failure in flight 2 reports (Be35; Be36)
Engine failure during/immediately after takeoff 2 reports (both Be36s)
Dual partial power loss/off-airport landing (Be58)
Impact during landing 3 reports
Runway overrun 1 report (Be58)
Landed short 1 report (Be36)
Loss of directional control during landing 1 report (Be95)
Impact during takeoff
Aborted takeoff/runway overrun 1 report (Be55)
Loss of directional control during takeoff/contaminated runway 1 report (Be35)
Miscellaneous
Taxi into object 1 report (Be36)
Door open after takeoff/descent into terrain 1 report (Be36)
Bird strike 1 report (Be55)
BEECH AERO CLUB Series: 2 reports
By Aircraft Type
Be19 Sport 1 report
Be24 Sierra 1 report
Environment
Operation in VMC: 2 reports
Operation in IMC: 0 reports
Weather “unknown” or “not reported”: 0 reports
Operation at night: 0 reports
Most Serious Injury
“Serious” injury accidents (not involving fatalities): 0 reports
Fatal accidents: 0 reports
Aircraft damage
“Substantial” damage: 2 reports
Aircraft “destroyed”: 0 reports
PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF CAUSE
(all subject to update per official findings):
FATAL and SERIOUS INJURY EVENTS 0 reports
OTHER EVENTS 2 reports
Engine failure 2 reports
Engine failure in flight 1 report (Be24)
Engine failure shortly after takeoff 1 report (Be19)
MISCELLANEOUS Models: 1 report
Be45 Mentor/T-34 1 reports
Environment
Operation in VMC: 1 report
Operation in IMC: 0 reports
Weather “unknown” or “not reported”: 0 reports
Operation at night: 0 reports
Most Serious Injury
“Serious” injury accidents (not involving fatalities): 0 reports
Fatal accidents: 0 reports
Aircraft damage
“Substantial” damage: 0 reports
Aircraft “destroyed”: 0 reports
PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF CAUSE
(all subject to update per official findings):
FATAL and SERIOUS INJURY EVENTS 0 reports
OTHER EVENTS 1 report
Landing gear related mishaps
Gear up landing 1 report (Be45)
Recognize an N-number? Please accept my sincere personal condolences if you or anyone you know was involved in a mishap. I welcome your comments, suggestions and criticisms.
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