History of Flight
On March 14, 2012, about 1955 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Beech B36TC, N364AB, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain in the Diablo Mountain range near Panoche, California, during a delivery flight from Gloucester, England, to San Jose, California. The airplane was recently purchased and operated by Lafferty Aircraft Sales (LAS), and was operated by American King Air Services (AKAS). The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The accident leg was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, visual flight rules (VFR). Darkness and possible instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no FAA flight plan was filed.
The pilot took a commercial flight from South Carolina to Florida on March 7, 2012, then flew commercially to London, England, with a passenger. They arrived in London on March 8 and began the delivery flight the next day. They landed in Bangor, Maine, on March 13, where the passenger separated. The pilot continued with an overnight stop in Kentucky. He departed Kentucky about 0900 local time on March 14, made fuel stops in Oklahoma and Arizona. During the Arizona stop, he informed his wife that his planned overnight stop was at Hollister Municipal Airport (CVH) and that the route was direct from the Palmdale VOR (PMD) to CVH.
By the morning of March 15, the pilot had not been heard from. The FAA issued an Alert Notice later that morning. About 1200 PDT on March 17, the wreckage was found on a hillside between PMD and CVH. The wreckage was highly fragmented and damaged or consumed by fire. All major components were identified.
The passenger stated no mechanical anomalies during his portion; the pilot reported the airplane was performing "perfectly."
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 78, was president of AKAS, based in South Carolina. He held an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and reported about 13,400 total flight hours, including about 300 in Beech 35/36 airplanes. His most recent FAA second-class medical was issued in October 2011. He had 196 Atlantic crossings. He preferred VFR and direct routes using GPS.
In September 2007, the FAA investigated a complaint about the pilot's vision and hearing; he remained qualified. The complainant was his ex-wife.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was manufactured in 1991, equipped with a Continental Motors TSIO-520 series engine. The most recent annual inspection was completed on March 9, 2012, in England. At that time, airframe, engine, and propeller each had 1,302 hours total time. About 20 discrepancies were noted but the owner requested no action.
The airplane was IFR-equipped with an autopilot and a King KLN-90B IFR GPS.
Meteorological Information
Sunset occurred at 1913 PDT, civil twilight ended at 1938. The moon set early. AIRMETs for icing, IFR conditions, and mountain obscuration were current for the accident locale. METARs from surrounding airports showed overcast conditions, visibility 10 miles, with temperatures around 14-16°C. Rawinsonde data indicated a saturated environment between about 3,300 and 8,200 feet msl. Satellite and radar imagery did not show significant targets at the accident location.
Aids to Navigation
The pilot ensured the KLN 90B database was updated. He also had an iPad with ForeFlight. The last map viewed was the accident leg overlaid on IFR low-altitude en route charts, showing a straight line between PMD VOR and CVH. The applicable VFR sectional chart Maximum Elevation Figure (MEF) was 5,600 feet msl; the IFR en route OROCA was 7,600 feet msl. CVH elevation is 230 feet msl. The airplane impacted at 1,960 feet msl.
Communications
The pilot did not file flight plans or obtain official weather briefings. He contacted Lockheed Martin Flight Services twice for weather at Woodward, Oklahoma. He used ATC flight following. Last communication was about 1958 PDT with Oakland Center. He had requested descent from 12,500 feet and was instructed to maintain VFR. Radar contact was lost as he descended below coverage.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was found on a steep, sandy hillside with sparse vegetation. The debris field was about 250 feet long, concentrated within 60 feet. Ground scars indicated an approximately wings-level, level pitch attitude at impact. The engine was partially attached, propeller blades separated. The fuselage was highly fragmented and consumed by fire. Post-impact fire damage was consistent with a stationary fire. Landing gear and flaps were retracted; no pre-impact mechanical malfunction was noted.
Medical and Pathological Information
Autopsy determined cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries; the pilot also sustained post-mortem thermal injuries. Toxicology found no ethanol or drugs.
Additional Information
The trip chronology detailed multiple legs. The pilot departed Kentucky on March 14, made fuel stops, and the accident occurred about 4 hours into the last leg, 34 miles short of CVH. The final leg was flown at 12,500 feet until descent about 7 minutes before radar loss. Supplemental oxygen was required above 12,500 feet for more than 30 minutes; the airplane had two oxygen tanks found with red plastic caps blocking the outlets; no regulators or portable systems were found.