WPR20LA295

The pilot and passenger departed on a visual flight rules cross-country flight into an area of reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke. An alert notice was issued when the airplane did not arrive at the destination, and the wreckage was located the following day in mountainous terrain at an elevation about 9,500 ft mean sea level. No anomalies were noted with the airplane during post-accident examination. Impact signatures and wreckage dispersion were consistent with the pilot’s controlled flight into terrain while operating in conditions of reduced visibility due to smoke.

On September 4, 2020, about 1148 Pacific daylight time, a Beechcraft 35 airplane, N818S, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Three Rivers, California. The pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert notice (ALNOT) for the airplane after family members reported the airplane missing. Radar data depicted a primary target consistent with the accident airplane depart Visalia Municipal Airport (VIS), Visalia, California, about 1125 and fly east on the visual flight rules non-discreet transponder code. The airplane flew toward rising terrain south of Silver City, California, and the last recorded radar target was about 1148. The wreckage was discovered on September 5, 2020, in mountainous terrain at an elevation of approximately 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl), on top of a small plateau with large pine trees and large boulders. The airplane was destroyed, and portions of the wreckage were consumed by post impact fire. The wreckage was dispersed along a path about 160 ft long. The wreckage was recovered and examined at a secure location. The wreckage was highly fragmented and thermally damaged. The cabin from the cockpit seats to the firewall were mostly consumed by fire. The side and upper cabin skins from the baggage compartment forward were consumed by fire. The wings were fractured into multiple segments. The majority of the right wing was consumed by fire. Portions of the wing spar remained. The wing tip fuel tanks sustained thermal damage. The stabilizers and elevators were impact separated from the tail. The inboard portion of the left stabilizer exhibited an 18-inch circular tree impact impression perpendicular to the stabilizer chord line. The right stabilizer was unremarkable. Both sustained slight thermal damage to the paint finish. Flight control cable continuity could not be established due to fragmentation and extensive thermal damage to the cockpit area. The engine and all observed components exhibited fire damage, corrosion, and some impact damage. All three propeller blades were attached to the propeller hub, which remained attached to the engine. Each propeller blade exhibited leading edge gouging and S-type bending. Both turbocharger units were partially impact separated from the engine and exhibited impact and heat damage. Attempts to verify engine continuity, valve train continuity, and cylinder compression by rotating the engine were unsuccessful. Visual confirmation of engine continuity was made using a borescope. No anomalies were noted with the engine or examined components. The National Weather Service produced a spot forecast for the approximate area of the accident site on the day of the accident. The forecast indicated sunny skies with areas of smoke and haze from the SQF Complex Fire. Stable air conditions continued to keep smoke in the valleys. Kern RiverValley was impacted by unhealthy to hazardous air quality.