Beech 58 accident near Magdalena, New Mexico, March 26, 1982
On March 26, 1982 at about 11:18 pm local time, a Beech 58, registered N36969, was destroyed in an accident near Magdalena, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 6 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 1982 · about 11:18 pm local time
- Place
- Magdalena, New Mexico · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 6 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 58 · all 58s on the register
- Registration
- N36969 · no longer on the register · serial TH-1184
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF THE ICING CONDITIONS TO BE EXPECTED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES DURING HIS WX BRIEFING. AT 1524 WHILE ENROUTE AT 14,000 FT, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF A PIREP OF LIGHT TO MODERATE ICING BETWEEN 14,O00 & 22,000 FT. THE PLT REPLIED THAT WAS ABOUT WHAT HE HAD BEEN GETTING. FROM 1548 TO 1559 THERE WERE SEVERAL TRANSMISSIONS BETWEEN VARIOUS PLTSAND ARTCC RELATIVE TO INFLIGHT ICING CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.AT 1611 THE PLT REQUESTED A CLIMB. AT 1614 THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS SPOTTED THE FOLLOWING DAY AT THE 9,300 FT LEVEL OF A 9,600 FT PEAK IN THE SAN MATEO MOUNTAINS. THE ACFT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED FOR FLT INTO KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS NOR WAS IT EQUIPPED FOR SUCH FLYING. THE ACFT'S WEIGHT WAS COMPUTED TO BE AN ESTIMATED 392 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 853 hours in all; 88 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 76 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 167 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 15 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-CB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kerbs Construction CO.
The flight
- Departed from: AI El Paso TX at 1:58 am
- Destination: AI Salt Lake City UT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft; scat at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 135°F (57°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 5 |
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.