Beech A36 accident near Mabank, Texas, October 6, 2012
On October 6, 2012 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N32GP, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Mabank, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering in instrument meteorological conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2012 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mabank, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N32GP · no longer on the register · serial E-2230
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot obtained a weather briefing the day before the accident; however, no record was found indicating that he obtained an updated briefing on the day of the flight, which would have included weather advisories for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) surrounding the airplane's route of flight. After encountering low clouds at the destination airport, the pilot requested a clearance to divert to another nearby airport, and he was provided the clearance. No further radio transmissions were received. The airplane crashed between the two airports. Photographs of the flight conditions taken by a pilot flying in the area about the time of the accident showed low, overcast clouds above the airplane. A review of logbook entries and mechanic's statements did not reveal any unresolved maintenance or airworthiness issues. A postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Propeller and internal engine components exhibited damage consistent with the production of power at the time of the accident. Therefore, on the basis of the evidence, the pilot most likely lost control of the airplane while maneuvering in IMC.
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 maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Organizational issues › Management › Communication (organizational) › Between groups/organizations › ATC
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Contributed to outcome
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Weather planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 569 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,452 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 13, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 3,666 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls Royce 250-B17C (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: Palm-L Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 52F Roanoke TX at 1:45 pm
- Destination: Athens TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 600 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from TRL, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.