Accident Overview
On March 9, 2025, at approximately 2215 central daylight time, a Beech A23-19 aircraft, registration N4784J, sustained substantial damage in an accident near Rochester, Minnesota. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that during the initial climb, at about 650 feet above ground level, the engine experienced a complete loss of power. According to the pilot, the engine did not sputter before failing; instead, he heard a "click click" sound just prior to the power loss. The pilot declared an emergency and attempted to restart the engine. Unable to restore power, he executed a forced landing. During the landing, the airplane struck trees, resulting in substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage.
Post-Accident Actions
The aircraft was retained for further examination. No additional details regarding the cause of the engine failure have been released.