Swearingen SA226-T(B) accident near Winslow, Arizona, April 23, 2021
On April 23, 2021 at about 10:19 pm local time, a 1981 Swearingen SA226-T(B), registered N59EZ, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering near Winslow, Arizona (Winslow-Lindbergh Rgnl 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 loss of engine power to the right engine for reasons that could not be determined. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 23, 2021 · about 10:19 pm local time · cases in 2021
- Place
- Winslow, Arizona · Winslow-Lindbergh Rgnl · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Swearingen SA226-T(B), built 1981 · all SA226-T(B)s on the register
- Registration
- N59EZ · no longer on the register · serial 394
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a personal flight and was descending the airplane to the destination airport. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data showed that the airplane accomplished several turning maneuvers near the airport. These turns occurred from an elevation of 6,000 to 4,950 ft mean sea level, at which time the data ended. The airplane was 80 ft above ground level at the time. Witnesses reported seeing a low-flying airplane perform a turn and then veer toward the ground. The airplane came to rest about 4 miles east of the destination airport and 70 ft from the last data target. A postcrash fire ensued. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engines found no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the left engine revealed that the engine was likely producing power. The right engine examination revealed damage consistent with low or no rotation at the time of the accident, including distinct, localized contact marks on the rotating propeller shaft. In addition, no metal spray was found in the turbine section, and no dirt was found within the combustor section. The examination of the right propeller blades showed chordwise scoring with the blades bent aft and twisted toward a low-pitch setting. Examination of the fuel system noted no anomalies. The airplane was equipped with a single redline (SRL) autostart computer. Examination of the right (R) SRL-OFF annunciator panel light bulb showed signatures of hot filament stretch, which was consistent with illumination of the light at the time of the accident. The SRL light normally extinguishes above an engine speed of 80% rpm. Given the low rotational signatures on the right engine and the illuminated “R SRL OFF” warning light, it is likely that the right engine lost engine power during the flight for reasons that could not be determined.
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 maneuvering defining event
- 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
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,959.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 2017
- Seats: 11
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Honeywell TPE331-10U-51 (turboprop); 4,929 hours total
- Engine 2: Honeywell TPE331-10U-51 (turboprop); 4,929 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 9:09 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 24 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from KINW, 4 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KINW 242156Z AUTO 22024G30KT 10SM CLR 26/M06 A2993 RMK AO2 PK WND 22034/2130 SLP078 T02561061 TSNO=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
21 documents, released by the NTSB on September 27, 2023. 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N59EZ: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Swearingen SA-226 48 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Swearingen 88 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Honeywell TPE331-10U-51 27 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Honeywell TPE331-10U-51 27 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Winslow-Lindbergh Regional · nearest airport
- Scottsdale Airport · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,985 since 1982 · 468 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,431 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR21FA175.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.