Beech BE-95-B55 accident near N. Sioux City, South Dakota, September 22, 2006
On September 22, 2006 at about 2:58 pm local time, a Beech BE-95-B55, registered N4JV, was substantially damaged in an accident near N. Sioux City, South Dakota. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during cruise flight, and subsequent inadvertent flat spin from which he could not recover. Contributing to the accident were clouds, turbulence, and rain showers.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 22, 2006 · about 2:58 pm local time
- Place
- N. Sioux City, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE-95-B55
- Registration
- N4JV · no longer on the register · serial TC-1583
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was in cruise flight at 9,000 feet above mean sea level (msl) when it entered a descending left turn. The altitude data went into coast mode with the groundspeed being reported as 204 knots. Four seconds later, radar data shows the airplane turning to the right with a ground speed of 50 knots at an altitude of 7,400 feet. The airplane then enters another descending left turn. Radar data then shows the airplane at 5,200 feet with a ground speed of 29 knots. The altitude data then once again entered the coast mode. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane spinning as it descended out of the clouds. The airplane impacted the terrain in a relatively flat attitude. Post accident examination of the airframe, engines, and associated systems and components failed to reveal any preimpact failure/malfunction. Weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of instrument meteorological conditions with rain. A weather study showed the airplane was operating in an area of instrument meteorological conditions with rain showers, and turbulence.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,699 hours in all; 108 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,292 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LBF North Platte NE at 1:53 pm
- Destination: LSA La Crosse WI
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,300 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.29 inHg
- Observation at 2:52 pm from SUX, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.