Accident Overview
On December 28, 2025, at approximately 0935 eastern standard time, a Beech B90 airplane, registration N40BA, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Atlanta, Georgia. The pilot received minor injuries, and the copilot was seriously injured. The flight was conducted as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Miami Executive Airport (TMB), Miami, Florida, at about 0628, operating under instrument flight rules with a destination of Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) in Atlanta. The airplane climbed to approximately 11,000 feet mean sea level and cruised in clear en route weather conditions. Weather at the destination included low cloud ceilings, and nearby airports were identified as alternates.
Events Leading to Accident
The day before the flight, the pilot had instructed the fixed base operator (FBO) to fill the airplane’s fuel tanks. On the morning of the accident, FBO personnel informed the pilot that 152 gallons of fuel were added. During the preflight inspection, the pilot observed the fuel quantity gauges indicated full.
About 43 nautical miles from PDK, the pilot directed the copilot to calculate remaining fuel, which was reported as approximately 112 gallons. The flight crew requested and initially received approval to divert to Dobbins ARB Airport (MGE) in Marietta, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, air traffic control reported improved weather at PDK, and the crew requested vectors for the approach.
Forced Landing and Damage
The airplane was vectored for the instrument landing system (ILS) runway 21L approach at PDK. While configuring the airplane near the final approach fix, which included extending the landing gear and flaps, the pilot reported a total loss of engine power on both engines, accompanied by illumination of all cockpit warning lights. The pilot initiated a shallow right turn to avoid residential structures and performed a forced landing to a wooded area in a residential neighborhood. During the landing, the airplane impacted trees and terrain before coming to rest about 2.4 nautical miles northeast of the approach end of runway 21L. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its wings, empennage, and fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination.