Accident Overview
On December 19, 2024, at 1122 eastern standard time, a Beech A36 (registration N36WP) was destroyed during an accident near East Aurora, New York. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight History
The airplane departed from Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, Michigan, on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, New York. Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 12,500 feet, the pilot declared an emergency. He reported experiencing "very low power on my engine" and requested to remain as high as possible.
Air traffic control initially directed the pilot to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) and later provided vectors to Buffalo Airfield (9G0). The pilot stated that although the engine was still producing some power, the airplane could no longer maintain altitude. He indicated that he did not believe the airplane could reach either airport and decided to attempt an off-airport landing. ATC then provided vectors toward a freeway, but the pilot expressed his intention to land in a field. Radar contact was lost shortly thereafter, near the accident site.
Witness Observations
Witnesses near the accident site observed the airplane flying low, approximately 30 feet above a tree line. They then saw a black plume of smoke.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane initially struck a tree trunk and came to rest approximately 40 feet beyond the impact point. A post-impact fire consumed the fuselage, cockpit, and inboard wing sections. The right outboard wing exhibited crush damage near the tip, with the aileron and flap attached. The right tip tank was impact-separated and came to rest near the base of the initial tree strike. The left outboard wing sustained multiple tree strikes, with the aileron impact-separated and the flap attached. The aft cabin and tail cone were destroyed by fire.
The empennage components showed varying degrees of damage: the right horizontal stabilizer, elevator, vertical stabilizer, and rudder remained attached, while the left horizontal stabilizer and elevator were fragmented by impact forces. The engine remained partially attached to the airframe and exhibited heavy sooting and fire damage. All engine accessories remained in place and were fire damaged. Initial external examination of the engine did not reveal evidence of a catastrophic failure.
The airplane was recovered for further examination.