20201106021952A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Beech J35 · Fredericksburg, TX · November 6, 2020

Date: November 6, 2020 · 16:40 local
Place: Fredericksburg, TX
Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Collision: Midair collision
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N617Q
NTSB investigation: NTSBCEN21FA043
Reported as: Beech J35
Reported engine: Continental I0-470 series
People aboard: 1
Fatal injuries: 1
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor

N617QRegistration cancelled Feb 26, 2021 · Beech J35S/N D-5670 · Built 1958 Airframe modelBeech J35 Engine modelContinental I0-470 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

Pilot was participating in formation flight practice. When second aircraft experienced a gear issue a decision was made to return to airport. First aircraft told second he was now lead. Second aircraft was flying back to T82 when the first aircraft struck them from the lower forward left side just behind the propeller. First aircraft lost control and entered into a spin prior to striking the ground and being consumed by fire.

As the FAA filed it

PILOT WAS PARTICIPATING IN FORMATION FLIGHT PRACTICE. WHEN SECOND AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A GEAR ISSUE A DECISION WAS MADE TO RETURN TO AIRPORT. FIRST AIRCRAFT TOLD SECOND HE WAS NOW LEAD. SECOND AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING BACK TO T82 WHEN THE FIRST AIRCRAFT STRUCK THEM FROM THE LOWER FORWARD LEFT SIDE JUST BEHIND THE PROPELLER. FIRST AIRCRAFT LOST CONTROL AND ENTERED INTO A SPIN PRIOR TO STRIKING THE GROUND AND BEING CONSUMED BY FIRE.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB CEN21FA043Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportFredericksburg, TXThe pilot of the J35’s failure to maintain clearance from the M35, which resulted in a midair collision and the J35 pilot’s subsequent loss of control and impact with terrain.Nov 6, 2020 · 2 aircraft · Destroyed

Other aircraft in the event · 1

Each aircraft in a collision has its own report.

N338ZBeech M35Accident 20201106021792A · Substantial damage

Other reports on N617Q · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

Incident 20031218031929INormal Cruise · Iraan, TX(-23) On December 18, 2003, N617Q, Beechcraft bonanza J35 was in route to junction, Texas at an altitude of 9,500 MSL. A loud bang was heard by pilot, james averett, and "something" was observed coming through the engine cowling and the windscreen became…Dec 18, 2003 · Minor damage