Beech A36 accident near Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 23, 2006
On December 23, 2006 at about 2:36 am local time, a Beech A36, registered N3704B, was destroyed in an accident near Chattanooga, Tennessee (Lovell Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's reported spatial disorientation which lead to not maintaining altitude/clearance from terrain and not obtaining/maintaining a proper climb rate during the missed approach. Factors were the night, the clouds encountered on approach, and trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 23, 2006 · about 2:36 am local time
- Place
- Chattanooga, Tennessee · Lovell Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N3704B · no longer on the register · serial E-1753
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane, piloted by an instrument rated private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain while being vectored on a missed approach. An instrument flight plan was on file and was activated. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport at the time of the accident. However, instrument conditions were reported at approach altitudes. In a transmission with the air traffic controller during the flight, the pilot stated he was "disorientated" and he confirmed that the "trouble" was not with the airplane. Plotted radar data showed that the airplane descended below altitudes the airplane was being vectored on and below published altitudes for the precision approach. The air traffic controller cancelled the approach clearance and gave a missed approach clearance to climb. The data showed that the airplane did an undirected 360-degree turn while being vectored and another undirected turn near the accident site. The pilot had accumulated 366 hours of total flight time. He had accumulated 29.1 hours of night flight time, 54.1 hours of simulated instrument flight time, and 14.3 hours of actual instrument flight time. He logged 3.9 hours of actual instrument flight time and four instrument approaches in the six months prior to the accident. The pilot's logbook did not contain an instrument competency check. The recorded weather at the destination was: Wind 210 degrees at 6 knots; visibility 9 statute miles; sky condition few clouds 500 feet, overcast 1,800 feet; temperature 16 degrees C; dew point 14 degrees C; altimeter 29.95 inches of mercury; remarks drizzle began about 27 minutes before the accident and ended about 16 minutes before the accident. An on-scene investigation was conducted and no airframe or engine pre-impact anomalies were detected.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 366 hours in all; 158 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 290 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,687.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2006; 32.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BB (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GNV Gainesville FL at 11:50 pm
- Destination: CHA Chatanooga TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 20, 7,400 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 1,800 ft; a few clouds at 500 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 2:25 am from CHA, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.