Beech S35 accident near Kneeland, CA
On November 9, 1995, a Beech S35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kneeland, CA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- November 9, 1995
- Place
- Kneeland, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech S35 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.670°N, 123.880°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04864
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 8, 1995, at 1748 hours Pacific standard time, a Beech Bonanza S-35, N8920M, collided with terrain after being cleared for the ILS RWY 32 approach to the Arcata, California, airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the instrument rated private pilot and his three passengers received fatal injuries. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by a private owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in Oakland, California, about 1620 on the same day. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed but not activated. Prior to departure, the pilot received an in-person weather briefing and filed an IFR flight plan for a flight from Oakland to Arcata. Before takeoff the pilot requested a VFR departure in lieu of an IFR release. While en route to his destination, however, the pilot contacted Seattle air route traffic control center (ARTCC) and requested an en route IFR clearance to his destination. The pilot was vectored to intercept the approach course and had been cleared for the ILS runway 32 approach at Arcata when radar and radio communications were lost at 1748. A witness standing approximately 300 yards from the accident site reported hearing the aircraft engine accelerate just before hearing the sound of what he thought could have been a crash. Another witness driving in his truck about 250 yards from the site reported seeing aircraft lights through a break in the tree line. He stated that because of darkness he was unable to see the aircraft itself. (A record of these interviews
Probable cause
failure of the pilot to correct a descending spiral and perform a missed approach, after becoming spatially disoriented and deviating from the planned ILS approach procedure. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the pilot's excessive maneuvering of the airplane, while on the ILS approach.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
- British Aerospace BAE-146-200, Dec 8, 1987
- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
