Beech A36 accident near Big Bear, CA
On May 1, 2023, a Beech A36 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Big Bear, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 1, 2023
- Place
- Big Bear, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.264°N, 116.856°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230501107201
Official records · WPR23FA173
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 01, 2023, about 1359 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36 Bonanza, N2038Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a witness, the purpose of the flight was to conduct an airplane pre-buy inspection for one of the passengers at Big Bear City Airport (L35), Big Bear City, California. The airplane departed French Valley Airport (F70), Murietta/Temecula, California, about 1122 and landed at Corona Municipal Airport (AJO), Corona, California, about 1136. The airplane departed AJO about 1332 with the intended destination of L35. According to ADS-B data, during the transition from the airport traffic pattern’s base leg to final approach, the airplane overshot the landing runway centerline. While on short final, about 1359:35, the airplane’s groundspeed decreased to 66 knots. Video surveillance footage revealed that the airplane banked right, entered a rapid descent, and within a few seconds, the airplane recovered to a level attitude. However, about 1359:43, the airplane’s right wing dropped, a rapid right bank ensued, and the airplane descended rapidly and impacted terrain. PERSONNEL INFORMATIONAccording to the pilot’s most recent FAA medical certification, dated May 11, 2022, he self-reported that his civil flight experience included 2,000 total hours of flight experience and 50 hours within the 6 months before the exam. Only one pilot logbook was ma
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and failure to maintain adequate airspeed on short final while operating in adverse wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
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.
