Incident Overview
On September 7, 2019, at approximately 1950 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft C-24R with registration N24030 was destroyed in an accident near Las Vegas, Nevada. The aircraft was operating as a Part 91 cross-country instructional flight. The pilot receiving instruction and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries, while two passengers died.
Flight Sequence and Observations
Eyewitnesses at Henderson Executive Airport (HND) observed the aircraft taxiing with its right entry door open before it was closed prior to takeoff clearance. During the initial climb, the aircraft struggled to gain altitude, oscillating between climbing and descending. The pilot reported to air traffic control that a door had opened and requested to return to land. After being cleared for closed traffic, the aircraft entered a left turn, assumed a nose-down attitude, and impacted the terrain.
Environmental and Operational Factors
Meteorological data at the time indicated clear skies with a temperature of 34°C and a density altitude of approximately 5,437 feet MSL. Prior to the fatal flight, an occupant on an earlier leg reported that the aircraft could not climb sufficiently to navigate around mountains due to heat.
Wreckage and Investigation Findings
The aircraft impacted a divided roadway, slid through a barrier fence, and came to rest in a culvert drainage area. Post-impact fire consumed much of the cabin and wing sections. Examination revealed no pre-impact mechanical failures that would have precluded normal operation. All door latch assemblies were found in the engaged position.
Performance Analysis
Calculations indicated the aircraft’s estimated total weight was approximately 2,835 lbs, exceeding its maximum gross weight of 2,750 lbs. The aircraft was also loaded aft of the center of gravity moment envelope for both flights. Under these conditions, the required takeoff distance to clear a 50-foot obstacle was calculated at 2,800 feet, with a maximum rate of climb limited to about 525 fpm.