Beech 50 accident near Riverside, California, March 16, 2019
On March 16, 2019 at about 6:49 pm local time, a 1956 Beech 50, registered N800DC, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Riverside, California (Riverside Muni 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 airspeed and control of the airplane following a loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2019 · about 6:49 pm local time
- Place
- Riverside, California · Riverside Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 50 D50, built 1956
- Registration
- N800DC · no longer on the register · serial DH-120
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the multiengine airplane departed on a personal flight. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported first an electrical problem, followed by control problems, before reporting a loss of right engine power. Despite the controller providing vectors back to the departure airport multiple times, the pilot continued off course as the airplane descended from about 3,400 ft mean sea level (msl) to about 1,200 ft msl at ground speeds between 85 and 89 knots before radar contact was lost. The airplane impacted the backyard of a residence. Witnesses saw the airplane flying low before it entered a spiraling, nose-low descent that continued until impact. Examination of the airframe and both engines found no preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Flight control continuity was established from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces, and damage to the propeller blades from both engines was consistent with some power development at the time of impact. Engine control positions for the propellers and throttles were in the mid-range and the mixtures were in the rich position indicating that the pilot did not secure an inoperative engine for single-engine fight. Based on the wreckage examination, the reason for the pilot’s reported electrical and control anomalies and the reported loss of right engine power could not be determined. The airplane’s gradual descent during the flight, followed by the nose-low spiral to ground impact, are consistent with the pilot not following single-engine procedures by adding power to maintain altitude and airspeed, securing the dead-engine, and maintaining a minimum safe single-engine speed above 90 mph (78 knots).
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,155 hours in all; 53 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 28, 2018
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Lycoming GO-480-G2D6 (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Lycoming GO-480-G2D6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNO Chino CA at 6:36 pm
- Destination: APV Apple Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from RAL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
15 documents, released by the NTSB on February 23, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement (FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Additional Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Air Traffic Control radar Replay (FAA) | video | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Field Exam Report | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Airframe and Engine Exam Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Excerpt Airplane Records | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Fuel Records | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Excerpt Aircraft Logbooks | PDF, 19 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Excerpt POH Emergency Operation Procedures | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Chain of Custody | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Lycoming | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 13 | Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Textron Aviation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 15 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.
