History of Flight
On July 19, 2024, about 1904 eastern daylight time, a Beech B-60 airplane, registration N23553, was destroyed when it impacted terrain near Vienna Center, Ohio. The private pilot and two passengers sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The airplane departed runway 17 at Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG), Plattsburgh, New York, at 1651, destined for John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Columbus, Ohio. After departure, it climbed to 16,500 ft while heading southwest.
At about 1835, when the airplane was approximately 75 miles northeast of Youngstown/Warren Regional Airport (YNG), the pilot informed air traffic control of a problem and requested a deviation to YNG. The controller suggested a closer airport, but the pilot preferred YNG due to its 9,003-ft-long runway. At 1851, the pilot stated that the left engine was “dead.”
The airplane approached YNG from the south, arriving overhead the approach end of runway 32 at 3,200 ft mean sea level (about 2,000 ft above ground level) at 114 kts ground speed. While descending, it circled twice to the left near the approach end, then aligned on final approach at about 500 ft agl and 123 kts ground speed. The airplane continued down the runway centerline while descending. About 3,500 ft from the departure end, ADS-B data indicated the airplane was near airport elevation at 131 kts ground speed. At the runway end, ground speed had slowed to 95 kts. Airport surveillance video showed the airplane pitch up and left at the departure end, then enter a left descending turn until it impacted terrain about ¼ mile west of the runway end.
A witness on taxiway D observed the airplane circling near the approach end, then proceeding with the approach. He noted the airplane was higher than normal at the start, descended but did not touchdown, and at the end of runway 32 pitched up rapidly to the left and began to “flip,” then descended out of view.
Personnel Information
The pilot held private pilot certificates for single- and multi-engine land from both Canada and the FAA. His logbook was not found; flight experience was estimated from an insurance application dated June 26, 2024, which stated his most recent flight review was completed in October 2023 in a Beech B-60. Transport Canada records indicated he held a valid category 3 medical certificate issued October 26, 2023, valid until November 1, 2025.
Aircraft Information
The pilot purchased the airplane on September 1, 2023, four days after its most recent annual inspection. Tachometer time at inspection was 1,138.1 hours. Last maintenance was recorded on July 17, 2024, at 1,168.1 hours, including sealer applied to deice boots near fuel filler caps and oil/filter changes on both engines. The mechanic reported the initial oil was “black and nasty” and the filter had been installed over two years prior; he changed the oil two more times before it cleared. Logbook entries for the 2023 annual inspection showed no oil or filter changes.
A personal acquaintance of the pilot, familiar with the airplane, reported that the pilot asked him to fly it but he refused due to airworthiness concerns. The airplane had been parked outside in Plattsburgh for months, covered in snow during winter. Known issues included damage from a hard landing, water in fuel tanks, low hydraulic fluid, dry-rotted tires, and the pilot reported left engine backfiring. He warned the pilot to address these issues before flying.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was on airport property outside the perimeter fence, upright in a grassy field, oriented on a 310° heading. A postaccident fire consumed most of the wreckage. All structural components were within the debris path. Landing gear actuators were extended, flaps fully extended, rudder trim near neutral. Flight control continuity was confirmed. Fuel selectors for both wings were in the Main position.
The left engine propeller assembly remained attached; all three blades appeared feathered with no rotational damage consistent with operation at impact. The right engine propeller assembly remained attached; blades were angled toward feathered, with one blade fractured midspan and two tips broken off. Blades showed twisting, chordwise scratching, and polishing.
Engine examinations revealed: left engine had compression and suction on all cylinders except No. 4, which showed detonation damage (piston deformation and melted spark plug electrodes). Fuel servo contained a sand-like substance in the inlet screen and screen port; similar debris was in the fuel-side diaphragm and servo body. Right engine had compression on all cylinders; cylinder No. 2 exhaust valve showed high heat and lean operation coloration. Its fuel servo screen was compacted with the same sand-like substance, with a small hole through it. The debris was identified as PET, a thermoplastic polymer commonly used in fuel system components.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicological testing detected minoxidil in urine and desacetyl bisacodyl in cavity blood and urine; these are generally not impairing.