Beechcraft A23 N3590R

Summary

On 12 December 2005 at about 19:29 local time, a Beechcraft A23 registered N3590R was involved in an accident near Mammoth Lakes, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 December 2005 at 19:29

Classification

Accident

Location

Mammoth Lakes, California, United States

Coordinates

37.5375, -118.6031

Aircraft

Beechcraft A23

Registration

N3590R

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redlands → Mammoth Lakes

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX06FA055

2 people died.

a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and, the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering following the loss of power, which resulted in a stall/spin.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with flat desert terrain following an in-flight loss of control. A witness about 1 mile south of the accident site heard a rough running engine, and looked up to see what it was. As the airplane traveled overhead, he heard the engine "popping/backfiring," which lasted about 3 seconds, and then the engine quit. He then saw the airplane "dip" to the right, in a "tumbling motion." The witness indicated that it was like a somersault with the nose dropping and the tail coming over the top. He saw about 2 to 3 revolutions of the airplane, which lasted a total time of about 8 seconds, and then the airplane dropped below tree level and collided with the ground. The witness reported that it was somewhat cloudy in the area, but the airplane was below the clouds. When he arrived at the accident site to render aid, he reported there was no frost/ice on the wings, and that it was not cold enough for the formation of frost/ice. Witnesses at the departure airport reported that the engine sounded like the exhaust system was leaking very badly or that either the exhaust or muffler was loose. An engine test run could not be conducted due to displacement of the crankshaft caused by the nose-down impact. An engine teardown revealed no discrepancies in the engine core or in the accessories that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.