Beechcraft 3NM N14437

Summary

On 11 March 2003 at about 00:06 local time, a Beechcraft 3NM registered N14437 was involved in an accident near Anza, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2003 at 00:06

Classification

Accident

Location

Anza, California, United States

Nearest airport

Lake Riverside Estates (4L0)

Coordinates

33.5169, -116.7911

Aircraft

Beechcraft 3NM

Registration

N14437

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Riverside → Anza

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX03FA111

3 people died.

the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed resulting in a stall and loss of control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with terrain while maneuvering in the base to final turn for landing. According to a witness, the airplane approached from the north and circled the airport in a counterclockwise orbit. It turned south (left) after crossing the departure end of runway 28, and flew parallel to the south side of the runway. During this turn, the landing gear came down. A witness observed it turn left base for landing. Throughout this sequence the engines sounded steady and smooth. It remained in the left turn, and then appeared to cross the extended centerline of the runway. Then the left turn increased sharply so that the wings were about 90 degrees to the horizon. The nose of the airplane then dropped abruptly to a nearly vertical position. The witness heard the engines sounds change like they were popping or stalling. The airplane maintained the nose low attitude until it hit the ground and burst into flames. Post accident examination did not reveal any evidence of engine malfunction or anomalies with the control system. Three of the four propeller blades exhibited chordwise striations; fire consumed the outboard portion of the remaining blade. The pilot did not hold a multiengine rating and had owned the airplane since 1978.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.