At about 2216 central time, a Beech J35 crashed when the pilot lost control during a missed approach about 14 miles north-northwest of Pensacola Regional Airport. The pilot was killed. The non-instrument-rated pilot departed New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on an IFR flight plan at about 1920 eastern time and was en route to New Orleans. The pilot contacted Pensacola Approach about three hours later and requested an amendment to his flight plan. The pilot reported he had a fuel situation and needed to land at Pensacola. The flight was given priority handling and the pilot reported he could not get to fuel in a tip tank. The pilot made three tries at an ILS approach but could not become established on any of them. As the controller was vectoring the pilot for a fourth try, he transmitted I cant. Im losing it. Radar and radio contact was then lost. Pensacola was reporting mile visibility and a 100-foot overcast.
February 11, Pensacola, Fla. / Beech Bonanza
At about 2216 central time, a Beech J35 crashed when the pilot lost control during a missed approach about 14 miles north-northwest of Pensacola Regional Airport. The pilot was killed. The non-instrument-rated pilot departed New Smyrna Beach, Fla., on an IFR flight plan at about 1920 eastern time and was en route to New Orleans. The pilot contacted Pensacola Approach about three hours later and requested an amendment to his flight plan. The pilot reported he had a fuel situation and needed to land at Pensacola. The flight was given priority handling and the pilot reported he could not get to fuel in a tip tank. The pilot made three tries at an ILS approach but could not become establishe...
Key Takeaways:
- A non-instrument-rated pilot died when his Beech J35 crashed 14 miles north-northwest of Pensacola Regional Airport due to loss of control during a missed approach.
- The pilot had declared a fuel emergency, citing inability to access fuel in a tip tank, and requested to land at Pensacola.
- Operating in adverse weather (1/2 mile visibility, 100-foot overcast), the pilot made three unsuccessful ILS approach attempts.
- The pilot lost control and transmitted "I can't. I'm losing it" while being vectored for a fourth approach, shortly before radar and radio contact was lost.
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