20220618009969A

On June 18, 2022, a 1954 Beech E35, crashed shortly during climb out after an apparent touch and go. The aircraft was conducting training. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The aircraft was destroyed. Both student pilot and CFI instructor did not survive. The flight originated from glendale municipal airport.

The aircraft was examined at the accident scene the evening of the accident. It came to rest just outside the bxk airport fence perimeter. Evidence suggests the aircraft impacted left wing first, followed by the propeller and engine. The aircraft came to a rest nose down. A post impact fire engulfed and consumed the majority of the cockpit and fuselage. Cockpit indications, instruments and controls were either destroyed or severely damaged by the fire. Approximately one third of the left wing and left aileron separated during the impact sequence. Both propeller blades were bent and had leading edge polishing/scratches. An undetermined amount of fuel was observed in both left and right wing fuel tanks. A mixture of fuel and water was found due to firefighting efforts. A chief air safety investigator from Textron aviation assisted in the investigation. He stated an inspection of the flight control system suggested no pre-crash irregularities or defects.

The aircraft and engine were moved to an NTSB facility and further examined. The engine accessories were damaged by the fire. The engine was not seized as the engine was able to be rotated. During crankshaft rotation, the engine appeared to have compression. Each cylinder was examined internally with a borescope. No abnormalities were found. Evidence suggested the engine had oil and there appeared to be no leaks. The magnetos were damaged by the fire. The spark plugs indicated no abnormalities.

Two toxicology kits were dropped off at the local medical examiner?s office.

Another pilot, who knew the deceased student pilot, stated he witnessed the aircraft was fueled using the self-serve fueling station at the geu airport. He confirmed the deceased student pilot purchased the aircraft in 2019 but had never flown it. He stated the aircraft was stored in a t-hangar. He stated previous discussions with the CFI indicated the CFI did not have any experience flying the Beech model E35 aircraft. He stated on 06/11/2022 that the deceased student pilot spoke with him concerning an aborted takeoff due to comm issues and a low oil pressure indication. The friend located the aircraft's maintenance logbooks and provided them to this inspector. A review indicated no discrepancies and inspections were current. The student pilot's logbook was also located and provided. A review of all his endorsements were recent and all in a Piper PA-28-181. All endorsements were signed by the same CFI. All flight entries were for a model PA-28-181, except one on 06/11/2022, for a Beech E55. The remarks section stated a flight with the intention of taking off was aborted after losing comms. The CFI signed the entry.

The CFI?s pilot logbook could not be located. The company of the flight school where the CFI worked stated they were unaware if the CFI had any Beech E35 aircraft flight experience.

The IA mechanic who worked on the aircraft was interviewed. He stated he performed the last annual inspection on 08/08/2021 and he could not recall any issues. He stated the student pilot did reach out to him on 06/11/2022, concerning a comm and oil pressure issue. The IA stated he inspected the aircraft and found the oil pressure indicator was faulty. He informed the student pilot to order a new one. He stated the student pilot found a possible bad ground wire for the comm issue. Neither issue was found documented in the aircraft logbook.