Beechcraft A36TC N48PD

Summary

On 27 November 1996 at about 19:24 local time, a Beechcraft A36TC registered N48PD, operated by Thomas B. Brewster, was involved in an accident near Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States. 3 people were on board and one died, 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

27 November 1996 at 19:24

Classification

Accident

Location

Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Tucumcari Municipal (TCC)

Coordinates

35.1592, -103.7199

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36TC

Registration

N48PD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Thomas B. Brewster

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Addison → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW97FA049

1 person died.

the total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Due to en route weather, the noninstrument-rated pilot decided to land at an en route airport. During the descent to the airport, the pilot reported a loss of engine power. The passenger stated that the airplane 'appeared to be gliding down toward a field and then it started to spin out of control.' A witness observed the airplane at 150 to 200 feet AGL with the left wing low, then perpendicular to the sky, followed by a nose low impact' short of the runway in flat terrain. Maintenance records did not reveal any uncorrected maintenance defects. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The right rear forward facing seat was found detached from the cabin floor where the nut plates pulled through the floor. Prescription and nonprescription drugs were found in the aircraft, and the toxicology was positive for Verapamil, a high blood pressure medication that may be approved by FAA for use by pilots; however, the FAA records did not indicate that the pilot had requested approval to use the drug. An engine test that was run to full throttle did not reveal any discrepancies that would have contributed to a total loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.