Beech A36 accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama, March 8, 2026
On March 8, 2026 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1982 Beech A36, registered N66519, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (descent) near Gulf Shores, Alabama (Gulf Shores Intl/Jack Edwards airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 8, 2026 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Gulf Shores, Alabama · Gulf Shores Intl/Jack Edwards · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36, built 1982 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N66519 · registry record · serial E-2054
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida, destined for Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama. Preliminary ADS-B data showed the airplane departed FIN and made two left turns to join an outbound heading of 278° with some minor course adjustments primarily along a direct flight path. The airplane climbed to and leveled off at 6,000 ft mean sea level (msl) until passing Pensacola, Florida. At Pensacola, the aircraft began a gradual descent to 1,500 ft. Preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications revealed that during the approach phase of the flight, Pensacola approach control instructed the pilot to turn right to a heading of 360°. The pilot acknowledged and reported a weak radio signal. Shortly afterward, ATC advised the pilot he was 4 miles from the final approach fix and instructed him to turn right to a heading of 060° and to maintain 1,600 ft until established on the final approach course. The pilot was then cleared for the RNAV runway 9 approach, and he correctly acknowledged all the instructions. The controller asked if his radio reception had improved and the pilot reported, “slightly better”. The pilot began his right turn but stopped the turn on a heading of about 050° and flew through the final approach course. The approach controller advised him that he had passed through the final approach course and instructed him to turn to a heading of 110° to rejoin the final approach course. The pilot did not acknowledge the first transmission but correctly acknowledged the second instruction. The airplane entered a descending right turn and leveled off briefly at an altitude of 800 ft on a heading of about 150°. It then entered a gradual tightening left turn and climb to 1,300 ft, before transitioning into a steep descending turn. The airplane impacted the water on a heading of between 300° and 324° at a ground speed of about 165 knots. Underwater sonar scans showed the wreckage was scattered over an area 700 ft long by 300 ft wide in water depths of 8-9 ft. Portions of the wreckage have been recovered and retained for further examination.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during enroute (descent) defining event
- Course deviation during approach (IFR initial approach)
- Loss of visual reference during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The aircraft
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: FIN Palm Coast FL at 10:23 pm
- Destination: JKA Gulf Shores AL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 200 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from KJKA, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KJKA 080155Z 11008KT 2 1/2SM 2V4 BR OVC002 21/21 A3007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA26LA140.