No fatalities

Uncontrolled Aircraft Crash During Initial Climb (N8611A)

Corona, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On November 14, 1979, a Beechcraft D18 (registration N8611A) operated by Dale Rodenbeek was involved in an aviation accident near Corona, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The pilot stated that he encountered control difficulties after takeoff. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N8611A
Aircraft registered N8611A. Photo: Cory W. Watts from Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft crashed in flames during initial climb after experiencing control difficulties. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries, and the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.

Incident Overview and Outcome During the initial climb phase following liftoff, the aircraft became difficult to control and subsequently crashed in flames. The incident resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft by fire. All three occupants on board managed to escape the burning wreckage, sustaining only minor injuries in the process. ## Official Investigation Findings The official investigation concluded that the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The pilot reported encountering control difficulties immediately after takeoff, which preceded the crash. No specific mechanical failure, environmental factor, or other definitive cause was identified in the official findings.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The pilot stated that he encountered control difficulties after takeoff.