Beech 76 accident near Frisco, Texas, May 12, 1998
On May 12, 1998 at about 8:05 pm local time, a Beech 76, registered N6701C, was destroyed in an accident near Frisco, Texas (Frisco Airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control resulting in an inadvertent stall while performing simulated single engine maneuvers during a practical test for a multiengine rating.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 12, 1998 · about 8:05 pm local time
- Place
- Frisco, Texas · Frisco Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 76 · all 76s on the register
- Registration
- N6701C · no longer on the register · serial ME-280
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the twin engine airplane lost control of the aircraft while in the traffic pattern during a practical test for a commercial multi-engine rating. An FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) was seated in the right seat to administer the practical test. The pilot had been provided 5 additional hours of dual instruction after he failed a previous practical test due to unsatisfactory performance of a Vmca maneuver with the same check pilot. A witness observed the airplane climbing out and executing 'a sharp right turn towards the north.' Ground scars revealed that the airplane impacted the ground left wing low in a slight nose low attitude with the gear and flaps retracted. The left engine propeller, which remained attached, did not exhibit any signs of twisting, rotational scoring or leading edge damage. The right engine propeller, which separated from the engine, exhibited leading edge gouges and chordwise scratches. The elevator trim actuator was found in the 14 degree trim down (nose up) position. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any anomalies that would have prevented normal flight.
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: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,047 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection; 96 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1G6D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: ADS Addison TX at 7:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,450 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:30 pm from ADS, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.