Beech 35 accident near Three Rivers, CA
On September 4, 2020, a Beech 35 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Three Rivers, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 4, 2020
- Place
- Three Rivers, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech 35 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.402°N, 118.613°W
- NTSB ID
- 20200905X30651
Official records · WPR20LA295
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On September 4, 2020, about 1148 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft 35 airplane, N818S, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Three Rivers, California. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert notice (ALNOT) for the airplane after family members reported the airplane missing. Radar data depicted a primary target consistent with the accident airplane depart Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Visalia, California, about 1125 and fly east on the visual flight rules non-discreet transponder code. The airplane flew toward rising terrain south of Silver City, California, and the last recorded radar target was about 1148. The wreckage was discovered on September 5, 2020, in mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl), on top of a small plateau with large pine trees and large boulders. The airplane was destroyed, and portions of the wreckage were consumed by post impact fire. The wreckage was dispersed along a path about 160 ft long. The wreckage was recovered and examined at a secure location. The wreckage was highly fragmented and thermally damaged. The cabin from the cockpit seats to the firewall were mostly consumed by fire. The side and upper cabin skins from the baggage compartment forward were consumed by fire. The wings were fractured into multiple segments. The majority of the right wing was consumed by fire. Portions of the wing spar remained. The wing tip fuel tank
Probable cause
The pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.
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.
