Details Still Sketchy, But Witnesses Said Aircraft "Wobbled" Before Going Down

The NTSB has released preliminary information in an accident in which a Beech King Air went down shortly after takeoff in Long Beach, CA on March 16th, fatally injuring five of the six people on board. There are still very few details known about the accident, and the investigation is ongoing.

NTSB Identification: WPR11FA166
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in Long Beach, CA
Aircraft: BEECH 200, registration: N849BM
Injuries: 5 Fatal,1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On March 16, 2011, at 1029 Pacific daylight time, a Beech "King Air" 200, N849BM, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during takeoff from Long Beach Airport (LGB), Long Beach, California. The commercial pilot and four passengers were fatally injured; a fifth passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to Carde Equipment Sales LLC, and being operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. A flight plan had been filed for a cross-country flight to Heber City, Utah; the crash occurred on initial departure. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident.

Witnesses reported that the airplane had reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet, when it "wobbled" side to side several times and then rolled to the left. Following terrain impact, a fire erupted.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov