Both Engines Remained Attached To The Wings And Both Propellers Were Feathered

Location: Galt, CA Accident Number: WPR22FA332
Date & Time: September 4, 2022, 08:50 Local Registration: N142DR
Aircraft: Beech 58 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional

On September 4, 2022, about 0850 Pacific daylight time, a Beech BE-58 airplane, N142DR was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Galt, California. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.

Multiple witnesses, who were hunting about one mile from the accident site, reported seeing the airplane spinning. One witness stated that “it was not nose down but more flat.” Another witness stated there was no engine noise.

Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) captured the airplane as it departed McClellan Airfield (MCC) Sacramento, California about 0707. The airplane the flew direct to Calaveras County Airport (CPU), San Andreas, California, at an altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level (msl). The airplane arrived at CPU about 0726 and then departed to the northwest. The airplane climbed to an altitude of 3,000 ft, maintained about 180 knots, and arrived at Modesto City-County Airport (MOD), Modesto, California, about 0750. The airplane then proceeded to Tracy Municipal Airport (TCY), Tracy, California, and arrived about 0810.

The airplane then departed TCY, climbed to an altitude of 4,500 ft, maintained about 180 knots, and proceeded to the north. About 0835, the airplane performed about a 360° turn to the right followed by a 360° turn to the left. After the two turns the airplane maintained 4,600 ft and continued to the northeast. About 0837, the airplane’s ground speed began to slow from 168 knots to 87 knots, and maintained about 4,600 ft, then increased its speed to 149 knots. About 0839, the airplane began to decelerate again. One minute later, while the airplane was decelerating through 100 knots, it began a left turn. The last ADS-B data points captured the airplane as it continued to decelerate and descend in a left turn. The last data point captured at 0841 recorded the airplane at an altitude of 400 feet msl.

The airplane came to rest on a magnetic heading of 270°, in a narrow slough mostly covered with aquatic vegetation. There was no ground scar leading into the water, and only the vegetation immediately around the airplane appeared disturbed. All major components remained attached to the airplane except for the left propeller, which separated from the engine at the crankshaft flange. The onepiece windshield was shattered, and the cabin structure was displaced slightly over the left wing.

The underside of the fuselage and both wings exhibited substantial upward crushing throughout. The empennage exhibited minor damage. Both engines remained attached to the wings and both propellers were feathered.

The airplane was recovered to a secure facility for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov