At 1610 Pacific time, the airplane impacted terrain while maneuvering at low altitude. The pilot and four passengers were killed, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual conditions prevailed. Witnesses reported the pilot had taken four friends attending an outdoor working party on a local flight. The airplane made two to three passes over the work party. On the final pass, witnesses reported the airplane was between 100 and 300 feet agl. The airplane made a sudden steep climbing left turn, appeared to decelerate at the top of the climbing turn, then dropped towards the ground nose-first, impacting a field. The engines could be heard “running perfectly” throughout the maneuver.
May 9, 2009, Minden, Nev., Beech 95-A55 Baron
Witnesses reported the pilot had taken four friends attending an outdoor working party on a local flight. The airplane made two to three passes over the work party. On the final pass, witnesses reported the airplane was between 100 and 300 feet agl. The airplane made a sudden steep climbing left turn, appeared to decelerate at the top of the climbing turn, then dropped towards the ground nose-first, impacting a field. The engines could be heard "running perfectly" throughout the maneuver.
Key Takeaways:
- A pilot and four passengers died when their airplane impacted terrain during a low-altitude maneuvering flight.
- Witnesses reported the airplane made several low passes over an outdoor party, with the final pass involving a sudden steep climbing left turn, apparent deceleration, and a subsequent nose-first drop.
- Despite the maneuver, witnesses consistently reported the engines were running perfectly throughout the event.
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