Accident Overview
On July 26, 2025, about 2237 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, registration N8976R, was substantially damaged when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Pacific Grove, California. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Flight History
The flight originated from San Carlos Airport (SQL) in San Carlos, California, bound for Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) in Monterey, California. After departure from runway 30 at 2211:03, the airplane made a climbing left turn toward the south and leveled off at 5,500 ft mean sea level (msl). Recorded radio communications with Northern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (NorCal Approach) indicated that the pilot requested flight following and was assigned a transponder code. The controller advised the pilot to remain outside of San Francisco Class Bravo airspace, which the pilot acknowledged. Over the next 32 minutes, the pilot had three frequency changes.
About 17 minutes after obtaining flight following, the controller obtained a Pilot Report (PIREP) from an airplane landing at MRY and queried the pilot if he copied the PIREP, which the pilot acknowledged. The pilot then stated he had obtained the current weather for MRY and requested the instrument landing system (ILS) 10R approach, for which he was subsequently cleared. During the approach, the controller observed that the airplane had descended below the minimum vectoring altitude and queried the pilot about a go-around. The pilot replied that he was going around and requested vectors back to ZEBED, the ILS initial approach fix. The controller issued instructions for a westerly heading and climb to 3,000 ft, which the pilot acknowledged. Shortly after, low altitude alerts were issued for the accident airplane, and despite multiple attempts, no further radio communication was received.
Recorded ADS-B data showed that at 2230:01, the airplane began a descent from 5,500 ft to 2,400 ft msl. At 2233:42, it made a left turn to an easterly heading and descended to about 1,600 ft msl. At 2236:00, the airplane initiated a left descending turn and continued until ADS-B contact was lost at 2237:11 at an altitude of 200 ft msl, approximately 50 ft south of the accident site. Witnesses near the accident reported hearing an airplane overflying their residence several times, erratic engine noises, and a low-flying airplane in a level left turn before it entered a nose-down attitude and descended out of visual range, followed by a loud impact sound.
Weather and Wreckage
Recorded weather at Monterey Regional Airport at 2254 indicated wind from 280° at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, ceiling overcast at 900 ft, temperature 59°F, dew point 55°F, and altimeter 29.99 inches of mercury. Remarks included an automated station with a precipitation sensor and ceiling height varying between 600 and 1,000 ft.
The wreckage was located about 300 ft from the shoreline, submerged in water at a depth of approximately 10 to 15 ft. The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.