Beech A23 accident near Mammoth Lakes, California, December 12, 2005
On December 12, 2005 at about 7:29 pm local time, a Beech A23, registered N3590R, was destroyed in an accident near Mammoth Lakes, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and, the failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering following the loss of power, which resulted in a stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 12, 2005 · about 7:29 pm local time
- Place
- Mammoth Lakes, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A23 · all A23s on the register
- Registration
- N3590R · no longer on the register · serial M782
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with flat desert terrain following an in-flight loss of control. A witness about 1 mile south of the accident site heard a rough running engine, and looked up to see what it was. As the airplane traveled overhead, he heard the engine "popping/backfiring," which lasted about 3 seconds, and then the engine quit. He then saw the airplane "dip" to the right, in a "tumbling motion." The witness indicated that it was like a somersault with the nose dropping and the tail coming over the top. He saw about 2 to 3 revolutions of the airplane, which lasted a total time of about 8 seconds, and then the airplane dropped below tree level and collided with the ground. The witness reported that it was somewhat cloudy in the area, but the airplane was below the clouds. When he arrived at the accident site to render aid, he reported there was no frost/ice on the wings, and that it was not cold enough for the formation of frost/ice. Witnesses at the departure airport reported that the engine sounded like the exhaust system was leaking very badly or that either the exhaust or muffler was loose. An engine test run could not be conducted due to displacement of the crankshaft caused by the nose-down impact. An engine teardown revealed no discrepancies in the engine core or in the accessories that would have precluded normal operation.
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: 1,071 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Teledyne Continental IO-346-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L12 Redlands CA at 4:46 pm
- Destination: MMH Mammoth Lakes CA
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from BIH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.