Beech V35 accident near Slidell, Louisiana, October 21, 2020

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

The pilot and flight instructor had just completed a one-hour uneventful local flight to test the recently-repaired autopilot. The pilot landed the airplane, dropped off the instructor at the terminal, and then taxied away. Minutes later the airplane departed to the north, reached about 200 ft above the ground, and entered a left turn. The airplane subsequently descended into trees and terrain and a postimpact fire consumed most of the airplane. There were no witnesses to the accident, and about 4 hours after the accident smoke from the wreckage was reported by another pilot. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation; the accident site was consistent with a steep, nose-low descent with the engine producing power. The medical investigation in this case revealed that the pilot had a history of significant coronary artery disease with stents and had used a sedating medication (cetirizine) at some time before the flight; however, whether the pilot’s heart condition or use of sedating medication contributed to the accident could not be determined based on the available information. The evidence at the accident site and the lack of mechanical anomalies are consistent with a loss of control during takeoff; however, the reason for the loss of control could not be determined.

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.

Photographs from the investigation 14 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photo 1 – Google Earth with flight trackPhoto 2 – Front of wreckagePhoto 3 – Left side of wreckagePhoto 4 - EnginePhoto 5 – Engine and peopellerPhoto 6 – Cabin door hinge and handlePhoto 7 – Cabin door latchPhoto 8 – Cabin door latch hookPhoto 9 – Cabin door latch pinPhoto 10 – Cabin door hingePhoto 11 – Tree with propeller cutPhoto 12 - Tree with propeller cutPhoto 13 - Tree with propeller cutPhoto 14 - Tree with propeller cut

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.