NTSB Reports: July 2016

The airplane was destroyed at 1456 Eastern time shortly after takeoff. The flight instructor, the private pilot receiving instruction and the pilot-rated passenger were seriously injured. Visual conditions were reported. An air traffic controller who witnessed the accident reported that, when the airplane was at about 400-500 feet agl, it made a sharp right turn followed by a sharp left turn. It then entered a steep nose-down descent before disappearing behind a tree line. An explosion followed. The controller recalled the airplanes landing gear was retracted.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Multiple fatal accidents occurred during critical phases of flight, including takeoff, landing, and during specific operations like mosquito abatement or simulated combat.
Engine power loss or failure was a recurring issue, leading to several forced landings with varying outcomes from no injuries to substantial damage.
Mechanical malfunctions, such as landing gear failures, control cable issues, and in-flight structural breakups, were significant factors in several incidents.
Adverse weather conditions, rapidly deteriorating visibility, or instrument failures contributed to pilots losing control or impacting terrain.

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Beechcraft Model 65-A90-1 King Air
April 19, 2016, Slidell, Louisiana

At about 2115 Central time, the airplane collided with high-power transmission line towers while attempting to land. Both pilots were fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. The airplane was operated as a local government public-use flight, performing mosquito abatement. Night visual conditions prevailed.

After completing a planned aerial application flight, the accident pilots radioed they were on a left base and were number one to land. Seconds later, the company pilots of another airplane saw an arc of electricity followed by a plume of fire on the ground.