Beech A36 accident near Covelo, CA
On October 21, 2023, a Beech A36 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Covelo, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 21, 2023
- Place
- Covelo, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 39.791°N, 123.280°W
- NTSB ID
- 20231021193276
Official records · WPR24FA018
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn October 20, 2023, about 1801 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft A36, N8248K, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Covelo, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) data retrieved from a web-based source showed that the airplane departed Heber City, Utah, about 1235 and flew to Shelter Cove Airport (0Q5), Shelter Cove, California. The airplane reached the town of Shelter Cove at 1646, but maintained an altitude of about 3,500 ft mean sea level and completed a 180° left turn to the northeast while over the airport. At 1650:35, the airplane turned to the east and continued about 7.5 nautical miles (nm). The ADS-B flight track data ceased at 1654:29 about 1 nm east of Garberville Airport (O16), Garberville, California. A fuel receipt indicated that the pilot purchased about 90 gallons of fuel at Round Valley Airport (O09), Covelo, California (about 31 nm southeast of O16), on the day of the accident; the fuel receipt was not timestamped. The airplane was departing O09 when the accident occurred. According to a witness, the airplane lifted off the runway surface near the departure end of runway 28 at O09. As the airplane passed near the witness’ house, his kids waved to the pilot, who then waved back. The airplane then began a left turn in a nose-high attitude before it disappeared from the witness’ view. About this time, a second witness observed the airplane as it cleared a group
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees after entering a steep banked turn for unknown reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off toward rising 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.
