What happened
On October 21, 2014, a Beech D95A, registration N64GM, departed Lake Ridge Aero Park (8NC8) in Durham, North Carolina, for a local instructional flight. The flight was intended to provide multiengine flight instruction to a student pilot who held a single-engine land rating. The flight departed at approximately 10:40 EDT under visual meteorological conditions.
Radar data from the FAA showed the aircraft climbing to an altitude of 1,300 feet MSL. While the aircraft initially maintained a steady climb, the airspeed began to decrease approximately three minutes into the flight. At 10:44:23, the aircraft reached a peak altitude of 1,700 feet MSL, but its airspeed had dropped to less than 50 knots. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft entered a rapid descent and impacted trees and terrain near Bahama, North Carolina.
The accident resulted in 1 fatal injury to the flight instructor and 1 serious injury to the student pilot. The student pilot contacted emergency responders at 12:24 to report the crash.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found that the aircraft's wings, stabilizers, and vertical stabilizer remained attached, though several tree trunks had penetrated the fuselage and right wing. The aircraft's engines were found to be functional, with both engines producing compression and suction, and no evidence of preimpact mechanical failure was discovered. The fuel system showed no signs of contamination or debris.
The investigation also focused on the aircraft's control configuration. The Beech D95A was equipped with a throw-over type control wheel for elevator and aileron control, which could be locked in either the left or right pilot position. At the time of the accident, the control wheel was positioned for the left seat.