History of Flight
On August 23, 2015, at about 1151 central daylight time, a Beech model 35-B33 airplane, N9704Y, was destroyed when it struck trees and terrain while maneuvering to land on runway 31 at South Arkansas Regional Airport (ELD), near El Dorado, Arkansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The airplane departed Florence Regional Airport (FLO), Florence, South Carolina, at about 0609, with an intended destination of Memorial Field Airport (HOT), Hot Springs, Arkansas. The pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at ELD during the approach.
Radar data showed the airplane departed FLO at 0609 and climbed to 8,000 feet mean sea level, following the filed route. About 82 nautical miles from FLO, the pilot requested a route change due to weather, deviating southward. Later, the pilot changed the destination to ELD and received clearance to proceed via Montgomery VORTAC (MGM) then direct to ELD. At about 1131, the flight was cleared for the RNAV/GPS runway 4 instrument approach. The pilot subsequently reported the airport in sight and canceled his IFR clearance. The final radar position was about 2.5 nautical miles and 210 degrees from ELD. The total flight duration was 5 hours 36 minutes 41 seconds, covering 722 nautical miles.
Personnel Information
The pilot, age 51, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a third-class airman medical certificate issued November 13, 2014, with a requirement to wear corrective lenses. He reported 1,806 total flight hours, with 50 hours in the six months preceding the medical exam. His flight logbook was not recovered.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a Beech model 35-B33 Debonair, serial number CD-597, a six-seat, low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear, powered by a Continental IO-470-K engine rated at 225 horsepower. It underwent an annual inspection on December 5, 2014, at which time the airframe had 6,768 total hours and the engine had 1,617 hours since overhaul.
Meteorological Information
At 1153, ELD reported wind from 10 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; scattered clouds at 1,900 feet above ground level (agl); overcast ceiling at 3,600 feet agl; temperature 27°C; dew point 21°C; altimeter 30.13 inches of mercury. Remarks noted lightning in the distance to the north. Weather radar indicated an approaching system northwest of the airport.
Communications
An airport employee reported hearing the pilot announce an approach to runway 4 with an intention to circle to land on runway 31. The employee went to the ramp to direct parking and observed the airplane circling south for a left-hand traffic pattern to runway 31. Later, the employee monitored an approach control frequency but did not hear the pilot.
Airport Information
ELD is a public airport owned by the city of El Dorado, Arkansas, with two intersecting runways: 13/31 (5,100 by 100 feet, asphalt) and 4/22 (6,601 by 150 feet, asphalt). Five instrument approach procedures were available, including the RNAV (GPS) RWY 4 approach used by the accident pilot.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest inverted in a densely wooded area about 2,200 feet from the approach end of runway 31, on airport property outside the fence. Trees about 100 feet tall showed no damage except at impact, indicating a near-vertical descent. The left wing outboard section separated; the inboard section, with flap and aileron attached, remained with the wreckage. The right wing was largely intact with flap and aileron attached. The nose and left main landing gear were extended; the right main gear was retracted. Flaps appeared retracted. The cabin was nearly consumed by post-impact fire. Both fuel tanks ruptured; fuel quantity could not be determined. Control continuity was established from all primary surfaces to the cockpit, where cables had been cut for recovery. The engine exhibited impact damage but rotated freely after accessory removal; compression was verified on all cylinders except No. 2, which was restored after valve staking. The propeller blades and spinner showed no evidence of rotation at impact. No pre-impact mechanical anomalies were found.
Additional Information
Fueling records from FLO indicated 7.6 gallons of aviation gasoline were added four days before the accident; it is unknown if tanks were full or if the airplane flew after fueling. The airplane had two wing tanks (74 gallons total useable) with a selector valve for left, right, or off (no both position). The selector valve was not observed. Radar data and winds aloft indicated an average cruise airspeed of about 142 knots, corresponding to about 55% power. With full fuel at departure, endurance was about 6.5 hours plus 45 minutes reserve at 45% power. The accident flight lasted 5 hours 36 minutes.