• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
General Aviation News

General Aviation News

Because flying is cool

  • Pictures of the Day
    • Submit Picture of the Day
  • Stories
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Products
    • NTSB Accidents
    • ASRS Reports
  • Comments
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ad
  • Events
  • Digital Archives
  • Subscribe
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Loss of control for unknown reasons kills two

By NTSB · November 13, 2017 ·

At the conclusion of a cross-country flight, the instrument-rated pilot was cleared for an instrument approach in actual instrument meteorological conditions. About two minutes later, the Beech F33A entered a right descending turn away from the airport.

The controller attempted to contact the pilot, but received no response.

The airplane hit a reservoir about eight miles from the airport in North Salem, N.Y., killing both souls on board.

Post-accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

On his most recent application for a medical certificate about six months before the accident, the pilot reported a total of 1,940 hours of flight experience, but his logbooks were not recovered, so his recent flight experience and instrument currency could not be determined.

The pilot’s toxicology results were negative, and the autopsy was inconclusive, so it is unknown if he experienced a medical condition that could have contributed to the loss of airplane control.

Probable cause: A loss of airplane control for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the wreckage revealed no mechanical deficiencies.

NTSB Identification: ERA16FA044

This November 2015 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.

About NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States and significant events in the other modes of transportation, including railroad, transit, highway, marine, pipeline, and commercial space. It determines the probable causes of accidents and issues safety recommendations aimed at preventing future occurrences.

Reader Interactions

Share this story

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
  • Share via Email Share via Email

Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily. Sign up here.

Curious to know what fellow pilots think on random stories on the General Aviation News website? Click on our Recent Comments page to find out. Read our Comment Policy here.

Comments

  1. gbigs says

    November 14, 2017 at 7:46 am

    These are the reports that teach the most. Despite all the technology and over a century of aviation experience a completely unexplained and unexpected fatal crash like this one can still occur. Jolts complacency to its core.

  2. Mark Buchner says

    November 14, 2017 at 5:23 am

    When an accident happens, the NTSB investigates, and pilots read the reports. They do this to educate current and future pilots to make the system safer. Of the thousands of accidents that could be on this page, you chose this one? This report is a total waste of precious space and time. It says absolutely nothing of importance or education. Common man! Post something useful.

© 2025 Flyer Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Photographer’s Guidelines