Beech A24R accident near Miami, Texas, July 21, 2012
On July 21, 2012 at about 4:15 pm local time, a Beech A24R, registered N9720Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Miami, Texas (Willis N Clark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight loss of control on final approach 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 21, 2012 · about 4:15 pm local time
- Place
- Miami, Texas · Willis N Clark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A24R · all A24Rs on the register
- Registration
- N9720Q · no longer on the register · serial MC-75
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was returning from a local flight over his ranch. During the landing flare about 30 feet above ground level, the airplane began a turn to the right, and he was unable to maintain control. The airplane impacted the ground, and a postimpact fire ensued. The pilot noted that he had no aileron control during the accident sequence. A postaccident examination confirmed flight control continuity from each control surface to the cockpit area; however, the cockpit control yoke was consumed by the postimpact fire. Therefore, a positive determination of flight control continuity at the time of the accident was not possible.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,080 hours in all; 80 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,298 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 24, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 5TE8 Miami TX at 3:25 pm
- Destination: 5TE8 Miami TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 5,900 ft by 250 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from PPA, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.