July 05, Middlesboro, Ky. / Beech Bonanza

At about 1115 eastern time, a Beech F-35 broke up in flight and was destroyed in the resulting crash. The pilot and passenger were killed. The VFR flight was about eight miles from the destination when he advised the air traffic controller he had the runway in sight. The controller terminated flight following and approved a change to the airport advisory frequency. Radar data showed the airplane began its descent about eight miles out, turned to the right about two miles out, and then disappeared from radar while still at 4,400 feet. The wreckage was spread over a half-mile, with the left and right horizontal stabilizers located at the beginning of the trail and the wing spars buckled in a d...

Key Takeaways:

• A Beech F-35 aircraft broke up in flight and crashed, killing the pilot and passenger, approximately eight miles from its destination.
• The VFR flight was cleared to change frequencies after the pilot reported having the runway in sight, shortly before radar showed the aircraft descending, turning, and then disappearing at 4,400 feet.
• Wreckage dispersed over a half-mile, with horizontal stabilizers found early in the trail and wing spars buckled downward, indicated an in-flight structural failure.

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