Beechcraft A36 N20TC

Summary

On 22 July 2014 at about 21:58 local time, a Beechcraft A36 registered N20TC was involved in an accident near Pago Pago, American Samoa. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 July 2014 at 21:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Nearest airport

Tafuna/Pago Pago International (NSTU)

Coordinates

-14.3317, -170.7114

Aircraft

Beechcraft A36

Registration

N20TC

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pago Pago → Honolulu

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

WPR14LA309

2 people died.

A loss of airplane control during the initial climb in gusting wind conditions for reasons that could not be determined because the wreckage was not recovered from the ocean.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The transoceanic flight was one leg of a planned trip for the two private pilots to fly around the world in 30 days. Before departure, a ground crewman observed the pilots complete preflight checks. The ground crewman stated that he told the pilots that the wind had been gusting and strong all day and evening but that the pilots indicated to him that the weather was good for takeoff. The ground crewman then observed the engine start-up and noted that it was unremarkable and that the engine rpm began to increase. He observed the airplane taxi for departure, lift off, and then turn right at the end of the runway. He estimated that the airplane only climbed to about 90 ft before it suddenly nosed down into the ocean. The ground crewman's wife noted that, as the airplane moved down the runway, the wind was very strong. She noted that, although the airplane became airborne, it was moving up and down and side to side and not gaining altitude. Another witness who was a couple of miles from the accident site also observed that the airplane did not gain much altitude before it went straight down into the water. The wreckage was not recovered. The investigation could not determine if there were any mechanical issues during the initial takeoff that would have resulted in the loss of airplane control.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.