# Accident 20231210020509A: Beech A36, Golden Shores, AZ, December 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 10, 2023, 15:00 local time
- Place: Golden Shores, AZ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.8054° N, 114.4158° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8054&lon=-114.4158&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4171S, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4171S) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech A36 (registry code 1151604, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO 520
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR24FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA054) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231210020509A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON DECEMBER 10, 2023, A SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE, BELIEVED TO BE OPERATED UNDER PART 91 BY THE REGISTERED OWNER, DEPARTED FROM AZ A20 (SUN VALLEY) WITH THE PILOT BEING THE SOLE OCCUPANT. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED AT APPROXIMATELY 1445PST AND BELIEVED TO BE HEADED TO PRESCOTT, AZ.

AT APPROXIMATELY 1500PST, THE PILOT, WHILE RECEIVING FLIGHT FOLLOWING SERVICES, REPORTED OIL PRESSURE ISSUES TO ATC.  ATC REPORTED THAT THEY LOST RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  AN ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT THAT WAS FLYING IN THE AREA, REPORTED SEEING A GROUND FIRE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES NORTH OF KEED (NEEDLES).  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED DESERT TERRAIN EAST OF GOLDEN SHORES, AZ. AND WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE.  THE PILOT WAS EXTRICATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND TRANSPORTED TO A REGIONAL TRAUMA CENTER AND REPORTEDLY DIED ENROUTE.

TO BE AMENDED AT A LATER DATE AS NEEDED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR24FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA054), Dec 10, 2023: Beech A36 (N4171S), Topock, AZ, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 4 connecting rod due to oil starvation, which resulted in a loss of engine power, inflight fire, and a subsequent off-airport emergency landing on rough desert terrain.…

## Other reports on N4171S (2)

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

- [Incident 20101016048909I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20101016048909I), Oct 16, 2010: Beech A36 (N4171S), Chino, CA, Minor damage. Pilot was practicing touch and go's. on his fourh landing his nose gear collapsed. The aircraft is being inspected to determine the cause.
- [Incident 19801103088989I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801103088989I), Nov 3, 1980: Beech 36BEECH (N4171S), Van Nuys, CA, Minor damage. After liftoff door popped open. Student asked for return to field but forgot to put gear down.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft 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. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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