2021 Beech E-90 Accident Near Boyne City, Michigan (N290KA)

Accident Overview and Flight History On November 15, 2021, at approximately 1245 eastern standard time, a Beech E-90, registration N290KA, was destroyed in an accident near Boyne City, Michigan. The airline transport pilot and a passenger sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. ADS-B data indicated the aircraft departed Oakland County International Airport (PTK) in Pontiac, Michigan, at 1150 and climbed to a cruise altitude of 16,000 feet mean sea level. En route to Boyne City Municipal Airport (N98), the aircraft descended and was cleared for the RNAV GPS Runway 27 approach. During the final approach, the aircraft's groundspeed gradually decreased from 129 to 88 knots over one minute. The last ADS-B transmission recorded the aircraft at 88 knots, approximately 3.2 nautical miles from the runway, and 600 feet above ground level. The aircraft impacted the ground about 600 feet beyond the last recorded position. The nearest surface winds, located 12 miles north, were 360° at 3 knots. ## Personnel and Aircraft Details The pilot primarily operated a Bombardier Challenger 604 but had not flown the accident aircraft since June 2021 due to engine maintenance. He completed Challenger 601 recurrency training in a simulator from November 5 to 8, 2021. The pilot had approximately 700 hours in Beech E-90 aircraft and had last flown the accident aircraft during recurrent training on March 22, 2021. The passenger in the right seat was a student pilot. The aircraft, modified since 1973, was equipped with Honeywell TPE331-10 engines, McCauley 5-bladed propellers, and Garmin avionics. It was the original test vehicle for the Honeywell engine and McCauley propeller supplemental type certificate (STC) development. Other pilots reported that the aircraft experienced rapid deceleration on final approach when propeller levers were moved to the high rpm position. FAA flight testing for the STC determined the stall speed with landing gear down and 0° flaps to be 89 knots indicated airspeed. The flight manual included a caution regarding icing, advising pilots to maintain a minimum of 140 knots during icing conditions to prevent ice accumulation. ## Meteorological and Wreckage Information An AIRMET for moderate icing was valid for the accident location. The area was influenced by northwesterly winds across the Great Lakes, resulting in increased moisture and bands of lake effect rain and snow showers. The destination lacked weather reporting capability, while nearby airports reported VFR to marginal VFR conditions with scattered snow. Witnesses near the site observed very heavy sleet with low visibility for about 10 minutes before and after the accident. The aircraft impacted forested terrain on a westerly heading, with tree debris indicating a steep descent of approximately 70°. The nose was crushed aft, and the tail was bent up and over the fuselage. No postimpact fire occurred. The power, speed/propeller, and fuel cutoff levers were found in the full forward position. The landing gear was down, and three of four flap actuators indicated a 5° flap position. Engine examination revealed bent impeller vanes consistent with foreign object ingestion, but no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions were observed that contributed to the accident.