Beech A36 accident near Atlantic City, New Jersey, November 23, 1995
On November 23, 1995 at about 9:15 pm local time, a Beech A36, registered N550RR, was destroyed in an accident near Atlantic City, New Jersey (Atlantic City Intl airport). It was a personal 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
the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention due to an open aft cargo door.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 23, 1995 · about 9:15 pm local time
- Place
- Atlantic City, New Jersey · Atlantic City Intl
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A36 · all A36s on the register
- Registration
- N550RR · no longer on the register · serial E822
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after departure on runway 22, the pilot radioed the tower controller that he wanted to return due to an 'open door.' The controller cleared the pilot to land on any runway. According to the controller, the airplane climbed to an altitude of approximately 200 feet above the ground before leveling off. Witnesses watched the airplane turn left, commence a descent, and roll almost inverted before it impacted the ground. The first rescue personnel to arrive at the crash site said the right side cargo door was open. Examination of the exterior door handle 'D' ring on the forward door of the two aft cargo doors revealed that it was not latched completely, and the door was 'open' at the time of the accident. Examination of the door rods and latches revealed that all the rods were in place, and moved without restrictions when activated by hand. No discrepancies were observed with the door's latches or rods.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 525 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-BA (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: HOU Houston TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 6,144 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from ACY, 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.