Beechcraft A36 N32GP

Summary

On 6 October 2012 at about 14:45 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N32GP, operated by Palm-L Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Mabank, Texas, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

6 October 2012 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Mabank, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.4775, -96.0650

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N32GP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Palm-L Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Roanoke → Athens

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN13FA006

4 people died.

The pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot obtained a weather briefing the day before the accident; however, no record was found indicating that he obtained an updated briefing on the day of the flight, which would have included weather advisories for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) surrounding the airplane's route of flight. After encountering low clouds at the destination airport, the pilot requested a clearance to divert to another nearby airport, and he was provided the clearance. No further radio transmissions were received. The airplane crashed between the two airports. Photographs of the flight conditions taken by a pilot flying in the area about the time of the accident showed low, overcast clouds above the airplane. A review of logbook entries and mechanic's statements did not reveal any unresolved maintenance or airworthiness issues. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Propeller and internal engine components exhibited damage consistent with the production of power at the time of the accident. Therefore, on the basis of the evidence, the pilot most likely lost control of the airplane while maneuvering in IMC.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.