The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
Accidents · NTSB CEN10FA394 · Final report

Beech 58 accident near St. Ignace, Michigan, July 13, 2010

On July 13, 2010 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Beech 58, registered N3081N, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near St. Ignace, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff for undetermined reasons.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 13, 2010 · about 9:00 pm local time
Place
St. Ignace, Michigan · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
4 people were killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Beech 58 · all 58s on the register
Registration
N3081N · no longer on the register · serial TH-1526
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

Witnesses observed the airplane abort two takeoffs prior to the accident takeoff. During the second and third (accident) takeoff rolls, one engine did not sound like it was developing full power. In between the three takeoff attempts, the pilot did not perform an engine run-up. During the accident takeoff roll, one engine still did not sound like it was developing full power and the airplane rotated shortly before the end of the runway. The airplane briefly became airborne, with the wings rocking back and forth, and then impacted an interstate highway with its left wing, which was consistent with an aerodynamic stall. The airplane impacted a cable median barrier and a fire ensued. The airplane continued into a ditch, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engines revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had some moderate heart disease and sleep apnea that were documented in his medical records. Toxicology findings noted the use of an unreported medication (atenolol) that was taken at an undetermined time prior to the accident. Approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident flight, the pilot amended his instrument flight rules clearance with an air traffic controller via the airplane's radio. No problems with the pilot's conversation or speech were noted during the recorded transmissions, and the investigation could not conclusively determine whether the pilot's medical conditions or medication use were related to the accident.

The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.

The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English

What happened, in order

  1. Loss of control in flight during takeoff defining event
  2. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: private
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 3,166 hours in all; 2,238 in this make and model; 2,274 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: December 29, 2009
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: fatal

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 3,903 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, November 18, 2009
  • Maximum gross weight: 5,500 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine 1: Cont Motor IO-550-C (piston); 0 hours total
  • Engine 2: Cont Motor IO-550 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: 83D St. Ignace MI at 9:00 pm
  • Destination: PWK Wheeling IL
  • Flight plan: IFR
  • Runway 25, 3,800 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers31

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.

Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.