What happened
On May 20, 2024, at approximately 10:08 EDT, a Beechcraft TC-12B, registration N762MC, was involved in an accident near Lehigh Acres, Florida. The flight was being conducted by the Lee County Mosquito Control District for the purpose of training a new copilot in the right seat, with a flight instructor occupying the left seat.
Following an uneventful training mission, the copilot landed the aircraft on runway 32, maintaining the centerline. After reducing power to idle, the pilot moved the throttles into the beta and reverse range. Upon this movement, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left. The flight instructor intervened, and both crew members attempted to steer the aircraft to the right and reduce speed. The crew reported that the aircraft appeared to be accelerating as it left the left side of the runway. Despite the instructor's attempt to move the condition levers to the cutoff position, the aircraft exited the runway and entered a dry fish pond approximately 5 feet deep. The impact caused the nose and left main landing gear to collapse.
There were no injuries to the pilot or the copilot.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the accident site. The investigation revealed substantial damage to the left wing, the aft fuselage, and the areas surrounding the nose and left main landing gear. Additionally, both propellers sustained damage from contact with the ground.