On February 11, 1982, a Beech 95-C55 (registration N200WJ) operated by Tom Bethal Construction Compan was involved in an aviation accident near Twentynine Palm, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
At 1605, the pilot of N200WJ contacted Blythe FSS, then cancelled landing plans to fly toward Twentynine Palms. The aircraft crashed 32 miles east of Twentynine Palms in desert terrain. Witnesses reported visibility less than 1/4 mile with moderate rain at the site at 1630.
Accident Details
At 1605, the pilot of aircraft N200WJ contacted Blythe Flight Service Station (FSS) reporting his position as 25 miles east for landing. Upon hearing that his business associates in another aircraft were preparing to depart Blythe for Twentynine Palms, the pilot cancelled his landing intentions and stated he would also proceed to Twentynine Palms. The pilots of the other aircraft were operating under an IFR flight plan and indicated that due to solid instrument flight conditions, they could not leave the ATC frequency to communicate with N200WJ.
The aircraft N200WJ subsequently crashed in desert terrain approximately 32 miles east of Twentynine Palms. A witness reported that visibility at the accident site at 1630 was less than 1/4 mile with moderate rain.
Pilot Information
The pilot of N200WJ did not hold a multi-engine or instrument rating. Additionally, his Class II medical certificate had expired.
Passenger Medical Condition
The passenger on board had undergone double bypass surgery in 1975 for severe occlusive coronary disease. An autopsy revealed that the bypass vessel contained a freshly propagating clot that totally occluded the lumen.