Beech 58 accident near Galt, California, September 4, 2022
On September 4, 2022 at about 3:40 pm local time, a 1985 Beech 58, registered N142DR, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Galt, California. It was an instructional 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 certified flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane and inadequate supervision of the flight, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin from which he could not recover.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2022 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Galt, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech 58, built 1985 · all 58s on the register
- Registration
- N142DR · registry record · serial TH-1458
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot under instruction and the certified flight instructor (CFI) departed in the multi-engine airplane to conduct training. Radar data indicated that they proceeded to multiple airports and performed traffic pattern work including takeoff and landings. After departing the last airport, they performed two 360° turns and one power off stall task. The airplane again slowed and recorded engine data indicated that, while the critical engine’s speed was reduced, the other engine’s speed was increased, consistent with performing a Vmc demonstration. During a Vmc demonstration, power is reduced on the critical engine (left) and the airplane is recovered before loss of directional control or stall. As the airspeed decreased, the airplane entered a rapid descent with a continuous left-hand turn that was observed by witnesses as it was spinning, not nose down, with a flat attitude until water impact. Impact signatures were consistent with a slightly nose-low, near-flat attitude. Postaccident examination of the engines and airframe did not reveal evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Positive identification of who was on the controls during the Vmc demonstration could not be determined given the available evidence.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Instructor/check pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Instructor/check pilot
Flight instructor
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, remote
- Ratings: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 15,500 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 10 hours in all; 3.6 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-550-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-550-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TCY Tracy CA at 3:23 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 am from KSAC, 14 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSAC 041553Z 29005KT 10SM CLR 25/13 A2990 RMK AO2 SLP123 T02500133
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on April 25, 2024. 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 | Engine Data Monitor-specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Attachment 1 to Engine Data Monitor - Specialist's Factual Report | data file | Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Interviews | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 24 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Manufacturer's Examination Report | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Pic's Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Pic's Loa | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 9 | ADS-B Data September 3, 2022 | map file | Download |
| 10 | ADS-B Excel Data September 3, 2022 | data file | Download |
| 11 | ADS-B Data September 4, 2022 | map file | Download |
| 12 | ADS-B Excel Data September 4, 2022 | data file | Download |
| 13 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Toxicological Reports | PDF, 2 pages | 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.