Beech D50C accident near Montgomery, New York, May 30, 1999
On May 30, 1999 at about 7:46 pm local time, a Beech D50C, registered N401JD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Montgomery, New York (Orange County Airport). 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
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 1999 · about 7:46 pm local time
- Place
- Montgomery, New York · Orange County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech D50C · all D50Cs on the register
- Registration
- N401JD · no longer on the register · serial DH-272
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Radar data depicted an airplane flying a track similar to a right traffic pattern for the runway. While on a track consistent with a right base leg, the airplane entered a left turn. About the same time as the accident, witnesses reported seeing an airplane fly a right base leg for the runway. The airplane entered a steep left bank, followed by an abrupt descent angle, and collision with terrain. A review of recorded radio transmissions revealed the pilot of the accident airplane flew a right hand pattern for the runway. The pilot queried a pilot of another airplane of his intentions. At that time, the other airplane was ahead of the accident airplane, on a final approach leg. The accident airplane then entered the left turn. A radar study indicated that while in the left turn, the approximate airspeed of the accident airplane was approaching or below the stall speed for the make and model airplane.
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: 1,550 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,809 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 7, 1998; 51 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming GO-480-G2D6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N82 Wurtsboro NY at 7:15 pm
- Destination: MGJ Montgomery NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 5,006 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:45 pm from SWF, 8 miles away
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.