Flight History
On September 4, 2022, about 0840 Pacific daylight time, a Beech BE-58 airplane, registration N142DR, was substantially damaged when it crashed near Galt, California. The pilot and the pilot under instruction were fatally injured. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
ADS-B data showed the airplane departed McClellan Airfield (MCC) in Sacramento, California, at 0707. It then flew to Calaveras County Airport (CPU) in San Andreas, arriving at 0726, where it landed and departed. Next, it traveled to Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), arriving about 0750, flew over the runway, and departed. It continued to Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY), arriving about 0811, where it landed, took off, remained in the traffic pattern, landed again, and departed at 0823. After departure, the airplane climbed to 4,800 feet mean sea level (msl), maintaining about 180 knots ground speed to the northeast. At 0834, while at about 4,750 feet and 173 knots, it performed a 360° turn to the right followed by a 360° turn to the left.
Following the turns, the airplane continued northeast, climbing to 5,000 feet at about 170 knots. At 0837:34, its speed reduced to about 80 knots, and engine data showed fuel flows on both engines dropped from about 18.5 gallons per hour (gph) to about 2–4 gph. Two seconds after reaching 80 knots, the airplane accelerated to 151 knots, descending from 4,975 to 4,825 feet, with fuel flow increasing to about 26 gph. At 0839, a second speed reduction began; left engine fuel flow decreased to about 3 gph while right engine fuel flow increased to about 29 gph, then dropped to zero. At 0840:01, from about 4,825 feet msl (4,725 feet agl), the airplane began a rapid descent in a left continuous turn. Data was lost at 0840:45 at about 22 feet agl and 3 knots above the accident site.
Witnesses hunting about a mile from the site reported seeing the airplane spinning or rotating. One described it as “flatter than nose down.” Another heard the engine stop, and a minute later the airplane came down in circles.
Personnel Information
The certified flight instructor (CFI) was seated in the right seat. His personal flight logs were not available, but he reported 15,500 hours of flight experience on his last medical examination. He held authorization as a specialty aircraft examiner and designated pilot examiner for the FAA. A recovered calendar showed the pilot under instruction’s name on September 3 and 4.
The pilot under instruction was in the left seat. He held a single-engine airplane certificate and was not multi-engine rated. His logbook was not recovered; he reported 10.0 hours on his last medical examination.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 270° in a narrow body of water covered with aquatic vegetation. No ground scars led to the water; only vegetation near the airplane was disturbed. All major components remained attached except the left propeller, which separated at the crankshaft. The windshield was shattered, and the cabin structure was displaced over the left wing. The underside of the fuselage and both wings showed substantial upward crushing with minimal aft crushing. The empennage had minor damage and was displaced right. Both engines stayed attached; both propellers were feathered. Flight control continuity was established, with breaks consistent with overload. Landing gear was retracted. No mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Additional Information
The airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook listed Vmc at 84 knots indicated airspeed and provided procedures for Vmc demonstration. The FAA Private Pilot ACS and Advisory Circular AC 61-67C describe Vmc demonstration and flat spin characteristics. The NTSB issued safety recommendations in 1981 regarding flat spin propensity in Beech Baron and Travel Air airplanes. The Beech D95A Owner’s Manual prohibits spins but provides recovery procedures if inadvertently entered.
Autopsies of both occupants determined the cause of death as blunt force injuries.