Two Fatally Injured When Beech Bonanza Went Down In Central Florida Lake

In a preliminary report, the NTSB says that the pilot of a Beechcraft A36TC that went down in a lake in central Florida reported having problems with his autopilot before the plane went down.

According to the report, on November 20, 2015, about 1127 eastern standard time, the Beech A36TC, N7FG, descended into Clear Lake, Orlando, Florida. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was registered to and operated by Kavak Aviation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Orlando Executive Airport (KORL), Orlando, FL, about 1115, and was destined for Gainesville Municipal Airport (KGLE), Gainesville, TX.

According to preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications, the pilot was instructed before departure and after takeoff by Orlando Air Traffic Control Tower (Orlando ATCT) personnel to remain outside of Class B airspace. The second instruction by the local controller about 4 minutes after takeoff included an altitude restriction to remain at or below 1,500 feet. The pilot promptly advised the controller the flight was at 2,000 feet and descending.

ATC communications were transferred to Orlando Approach Control, and while in contact with that facility, the pilot advised the controller that the flight was at 1,800 feet and descending. The approach controller asked the pilot why the flight was in Class B airspace without clearance, and then instructed him to fly heading 270 degrees; he did not reply to either instruction. Following a second instruction to turn to heading 270 degrees, the pilot indicated he was, but was unable to disengage the autopilot. A discrete transponder code was assigned, and the pilot then informed the controller that he needed to get the airplane on the ground and requested assistance. The pilot was provided a vector to return to ORL, and about 1121:52, he informed the controller that he had to use full force and asked on the frequency if anybody knew how to turn off the autopilot. An unknown voice instructed him to pull the circuit breaker. The controller asked the pilot if he was able to descend, to which he replied he was pushing as hard as he could on the control yoke. An unidentified voice on the frequency instructed the pilot to pull the autopilot circuit breaker, to which he replied he had but the airplane was porpoising.

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane bank, then observed it descend in a nose-low attitude into the lake. The accident site was about 250 degrees and 4 miles from KORL.

(Image from file. Not accident aircraft)

FMI: www.ntsb.gov