Beech C-99 accident near Litchfield, ME
On August 22, 2023, a Beech C-99 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Litchfield, ME. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 22, 2023
- Place
- Litchfield, ME
- Aircraft
- Beech C-99 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 44.164°N, 70.000°W
- NTSB ID
- 20230823192925
Official records · ERA23FA346
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn August 22, 2023, about 1740 eastern daylight time, a Beech C-99 airplane, N55RP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Litchfield, Maine. The commercial pilot receiving instruction and a flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. ADS-B data revealed that the flight departed Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport (LEW), Auburn, Maine, about 1708. The flight proceeded to the southwest and the crew flew either an instrument landing system or localizer approach to runway 4 at LEW. The crew performed a missed approach and proceeded to the northeast, toward the MOYER missed approach fix, where they entered a left holding pattern at 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl). While completing the first turn of the holding pattern, the airplane entered a steep descent and subsequently impacted terrain. A witness reported that he was working on a project in his driveway when he observed an airplane about 3,000 to 4,000 ft, heading north. He recognized the airplane as a “Beech 99.” The engines sounded “very smooth.” He watched the airplane proceed over his house and looked away for a few seconds. When he looked up again, the airplane was in a “steep dive.” From that moment on, he did not see the airplane alter its course or attitude. As it descended, the wings remained level and the engines still sounded smooth. The airplane disappeared behind tree before he heard a “loud boom.” As the accident airplane was established in the holding pattern for the runway 4 approach, at
Probable cause
A horizontal stabilizer pitch trim anomaly that was not identified in the available evidence.
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Browse: Maine · 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.
