ERA26FA165

On April 13, 2026, about 1308 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft 58 multi-engine airplane, N2063G, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near New Market, Tennessee. The flight instructor and the commercial pilot were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The commercial pilot, and airplane owner, was receiving an instrument competency check from the flight instructor when the accident occurred. A preliminary review of ADS-B data revealed that the airplane departed runway 26 at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (DKX), Knoxville, TN, about 1241. It then proceeded northeast before turning to the southeast toward the BOTRE intermediate fix associated with the RNAV GPS RWY 10 instrument approach procedure to the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport (GKT) Sevierville, Tennessee. Upon arrival at the BOTRE fix, it made a left turn toward GKT consistent with the approach procedure. The airplane then made a low approach over the runway before it turned north and executed the published missed approach procedure, which included a hold. The airplane completed one circuit of the holding pattern before turning northwest toward New Market, Tennessee. A review of the last minute of the data revealed the airplane made a right turn toward the northeast as its groundspeed decreased to 17 knots, it then entered a steep descent toward the ground. The last data return was 1308:43 and coincided with the accident site. A witness sitting in the breezeway of his home observed the airplane in a left bank with a nose down attitude before it impacted the ground. He did not recall hearing any engine noise or observing smoke or fire trailing from the airplane. Another witness was in her yard about 1.75 miles north-northeast of the accident site. She lived near an airport and was familiar with aircraft sounds, reported hearing the airplane fly over the river, and noted that it did not sound normal. Although she did not see the airplane; she stated that it sounded as if it were in a spiral. She further reported that the engine sound changed drastically, alternating between what sounded like full power and idle at 1 second intervals. This occurred several times immediately before she heard the airplane impact the ground. The airplane impacted a clearing on a shallow hill in a nose-down attitude. Both engines were buried about 4 ft in the ground. The airplane sustained extensive impact damage, was heavily fragmented, and primarily consumed by post-impact fire. All of the airplane’s major components were located at the accident site. The wreckage was retained for further examination.