Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary off-field landing.
NTSB analysis
While the pilot was enroute to his destination, he reported that the airplane door opened inflight, so he performed a precautionary landing to a rural road. During the landing, the pilot lost control of the airplane and it veered left and entered a corn field. The left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright.
Examination of the airframe by responding inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration found substantial damage to the right wing and that the interior of the airplane had been mostly dismantled. There were no knobs or placards for the fuel selectors. Fuel lines to both engines were empty of fuel. Flight control continuity was confirmed.
The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN23LA243 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jun 15, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Edna, Texas
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Beech 95
- N-number
- N99PL
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1959
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.