Beech C23 accident near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, July 29, 1999
On July 29, 1999 at about 7:20 pm local time, a Beech C23, registered N6996R, was destroyed in an accident near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota (Detroit Lakes Airport). It was a positioning 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
Aircraft control not obtained/maintained by the pilot. A factor to the accident was the pilot's impairment due to drugs.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 29, 1999 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- Detroit Lakes, Minnesota · Detroit Lakes Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · all C23s on the register
- Registration
- N6996R · no longer on the register · serial M-1744
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported that the airplane lifted-off runway 13 (4,500 feet by 75 feet, dry/asphalt) approximately 600 feet from the end of the runway. The witness reported that that airplane climbed to an altitude of 150-200 feet above the ground before it began an increasing left banking turn. The witness stated that the airplane was climbing in a nose high pitch attitude and that the airplane's bank angle was approximately 50-60 degrees with the airplane's nose began to pitch down. The witness reported that the airplane's maximum nose-down pitch angle was 70-80 degrees at the time of the impact with terrain. No anomalies were found with the airframe structure or its systems that could be associated with a preexisting condition. No anomalies were found with the aircraft engine or its systems that could be associated with a preexisting condition. The active ingredient of marijuana (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and its metabolite substance (Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid) was found during a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Toxicology examination. The levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol and Tetrahydrocannabinol Carboxylic Acid found in the pilot's tissues and fluids would be consistent with the direct inhalation of marijuana less than one-hour before the time of the accident. According to the book entitled, 'Fit To Fly A Pilot's Guide to Health & Safety', author Richard O. Reingart MD, the active ingredient in marijuana is, '...THC (delta 9 tetra hydrocannibinal)....' The book continues, 'THC causes temporary euphoria and relaxation. However, more than alcohol, it distorts perception, weakens critical judgment, and interferes with the ability to concentrate. THC also increases heart rate and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias. Short term memory is impaired, IQ is thought to be diminished, and there is a decrease in reaction time and tracking (similar to alcohol).'
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,359 hours in all; 192 in the last 90 days; 68 in the last 30 days; 1,275 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,191 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 1999; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: DTL at 7:20 pm
- Destination: Unknown
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from DTL, 1 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.