Beech A36 accident near Ray, MI
On July 24, 2022, a Beech A36 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ray, MI. 3 people were seriously injured. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 24, 2022
- Place
- Ray, MI
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 0 fatal, 3 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 42.738°N, 82.888°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220725105563
Official records · CEN22LA336
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
On July 24, 2022, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36 airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ray, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, when the airplane reached 70 KIAS, he rotated the airplane for takeoff. He pitched the nose of the airplane for the takeoff climb and upon reaching 77 KIAS he retracted the landing gear. The airplane then started to drift to the right, the right wing dipped, and the nose began a slight pitch down. When the pilot checked airspeed, it indicated 64 KIAS and the airplane felt “sloshy.” The pilot reported the airplane was descending toward the trees at the end of the runway and the stall warning horn sounded. The airplane collided with the trees and descended to impact with the terrain before a fire erupted. The pilot and passengers were able to exit the airplane before it was engulfed by the flames. The pilot reported the engine rpm’s never seemed to diminish and there were no abrupt changes in power during the takeoff. A witness saw the airplane as it departed runway 28 (2,495 ft long). According to the witness, the airplane rotated about 3/4 of the length down the runway. The landing gear was seen to retract, and the airplane appeared to struggle to climb. The wings wobbled and the airplane yawed to the right. The airplane did not climb and then collided with the trees. All three occupants were hospitalized.
Probable cause
The pilot’s early rotation on takeoff, which resulted in insufficient airspeed and an inability to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees.
More accidents in MI
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82, Aug 17, 1987
- Embraer EMB-120RT, Jan 9, 1997
- Beech 65-A90, Jul 31, 1999
- Casa C-212-CC, Mar 4, 1987
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-14, Dec 3, 1990
Browse: Michigan · 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.
