Beechcraft down at KJKA

NavAir

NavAir

Pre-takeoff checklist
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NavAir
https://www.fox10tv.com/2025/08/24/...ashes-vacant-lot-gulf-shores-authorities-say/

News said that both occupants were walking around when First Responders arrived. Looks like they were attempting to land on Rwy 9. There are some 80 foot tall trees about 2000 feet short of the threshold for Rwy 9, but one would have to be well below a normal approach path to contact them. It was VMC at the time.One wonders if he had a loss of power or some other issue on approach...

I've flown into Gulf Shores many times - it is a nice airport with long, wide runways. I'm actually down here now (drove, not flew in), and heard about this on the local Pensacola news.
 

Incident Beechcraft A36 Bonanza N855DC, Sunday 24 August 2025

On approach to Gulf Shores International Airport, a light plane clipped a tree and crashed. Both occupants were injured and were taken to a hospital. The airplane was destroyed.
asn.flightsafety.org

Here’s a page about the accident, flew a 3 hour flight from Texas. That should be easily done, with proper fuel loaded. There was some mention of the prop not heavily curled, as in low or no power.

There have been cases where the fuel selector gets a little messed up, coming in to land.

I have no idea, just general comments.
 
sourdough44 said:
There have been cases where the fuel selector gets a little messed up, coming in to land.

I have no idea, just general comments
Click to expand...
The valve issue has nothing to do with coming into to land other than that’s when a lot of pilots tend to switch tanks.
During a recent inspection I found an A36 fuel selector valve in terrible condition. Leakage noted around the bottom of the valve is why I removed it for overhaul. During removal I found that the handle had been installed incorrectly onto the shaft. The roll pin was left out. Instead, a poorly fitted cotter pin was installed through the handle and valve shaft. It was heavy worn and about to break. This would have made it practically impossible to switch tanks. I’m thinking the previous owner (non mechanic) made this installation himself. Found a receipt where he purchased the handle- No log entry for the installation.

When a valve begins to get old and difficult to turn it puts a lot of stress on the handle. This can cause wear and fatigue, especially if the handle was not installed properly. Pilots who aggressively snatch it back and forth also cause wear. At some point (if not repaired) it’s going to break. Of course this happens at the worst time, when switching tanks is actually needed.

Note: If there’s slop in a fuel valve handle there’s a problem! If the valve is difficult to turn there’s a problem. If the engine tries to keep running with the valve in the “off” position there’s a problem. Get it taken care of by an experienced mechanic.
 
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The question to be answered again is was there too much air in the tanks? Had the pilot leaned the mixture correctly and left with full fuel, the plane should have no issue making this trip.
 
That will not buff right out either, glad they are safe.
 
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