Beechcraft A36 N506BC

Summary

On 9 February 2007 at about 23:15 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N506BC, operated by Blue Heron Aviation Sales LLC, was involved in an accident near Hinesville, Georgia, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 February 2007 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Hinesville, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

31.8869, -81.5572

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N506BC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Blue Heron Aviation Sales LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Titusville → Anderson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

ATL07FA040

4 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in the in-flight breakup of the airplane due to aerodynamic overload. Contributing to the accident were airframe icing and the pilot's impairment by illegal drugs.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The instrument-rated private pilot filed an instrument-flight-rules flight plan and advised the controller that he was operating under visual-flight-rules flight at 9,500 feet. The controller cleared the pilot to descend and maintain 9,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the pilot requested clearance to climb to 11,000 feet. The controller advised the pilot that there were reports of icing between 12,000 and 16,000 feet. The pilot advised that he would be "on top of it." The pilot requested clearance to climb to 13,000 feet. Shortly thereafter, the pilot advised he was "experiencing some precipitation" and requested clearance to descend to 11,000 feet. Analysis conducted by Safety Board meteorology specialists indicates that the airplane likely encountered freezing rain or drizzle that would have resulted in moderate to severe mixed icing adhering to its airframe. As the airplane descended in a right turn, it disappeared from radar. The airplane broke up in flight and impacted heavily wooded terrain. Marijuana was found at the scene, and post-accident toxicological testing performed on specimens from the pilot was consistent with the use of marijuana within 3 hours of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.