On December 13, 1993, a Beech B36TC (registration N36CK) was involved in an aviation accident near Lost Creek, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL AND INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft impacted steep, wooded hills in a nearly vertical descent approximately 1.5 miles from its intended destination.
What happened
The aircraft struck the terrain in a nose down attitude during a nearly vertical descent. The impact occurred approximately 1 1/2 miles from the flight's intended destination. Radar data indicated that the airplane was in a descent prior to the accident; however, roughly 2 1/2 minutes before the impact, both the ground speed and the rate of descent decreased. The final recorded ground speed was less than 50 knots. The area where the aircraft struck the terrain consisted of steep, wooded hills that provided no suitable areas for a forced landing.
The investigation
Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction regarding the engine or the airframe. During the examination, both fuel tanks were found to be ruptured. Despite the ruptured tanks, fuel was present in the lines located between the engine and the fuel selector. A review of previous flights and refueling records was conducted, but investigators were unable to determine the specific amount of fuel on board the aircraft at the time of departure.