National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Preliminary Report Location: Lakeland, FL Accident Number: ERA21LA201 Date & Time: May 1, 2021, 14:28 Local Registration: N125WC Aircraft: Beech A36 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious Flight Conducted Part 91: General aviation - Personal Under: On May 1, 2021, about 1428 eastern daylight time, a Beech A36, N125WC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Lakeland, Florida. The private pilot was seriously injured, and the pilot- rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, earlier on the day of the accident the airplane flew to several airports before arriving at Bartow Executive Airport (BOW), Bartow, Florida. The accident flight departed BOW about 1420 and proceeded toward Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. According to recorded air traffic control communications with the LAL air traffic control tower, the flight was instructed by the local controller to join the right downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 9 at or above 1,500 ft mean sea level (msl). The local controller observed the airplane descending to 800 ft msl and informed the pilot that the flight needed to be at or above 1,500 ft msl, and to turn southbound. An occupant of the airplane advised the controller of an engine failure. The airplane was cleared to land on runway 5, and subsequently cleared to land on runway 27, after a transport category airplane that was on approach to runway 9 was instructed to go-around; however, the pilot or passenger advised that the airplane could not reach the runway. According to ADS-B data between 1423:38 and 1425:37 when the flight was about 4 nautical miles east-southeast from the approach end of runway 27 at LAL, the airplane flew on a westerly direction consistent with entering the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 9. After 1425:37, the airplane turned slightly to the right, then again proceeded briefly on a westerly direction. At 1426:25, the airplane turned to the right onto a west-northwesterly direction toward the approach end of runway 27 until 1427:53, at which time, when the flight was about .80 nautical mile and 101° from the approach end of runway 27, the airplane turned right to a north-northwesterly direction. The airplane’s last ADS-B target at was located about .68 nautical mile and 092° from the approach end of runway 27 at LAL. Page 1 of 2 ERA21LA201 This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. The airplane impacted a tree about 12 ft above ground level, then impacted a trailer and the ground. A postcrash fire nearly consumed the cockpit and cabin. The airplane was recovered for further examination of the airframe and engine. Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information Aircraft Make: Beech Registration: N125WC Model/Series: A36 Aircraft Category: Airplane Amateur Built: No Operator: On file Operating Certificate(s) None Held: Operator Designator Code: Meteorological Information and Flight Plan Conditions at Accident Site: VMC Condition of Light: Day Observation Facility, Elevation: KLAL,142 ft msl Observation Time: 13:45 Local Distance from Accident Site: 3 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /19°C Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4300 ft AGL Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / , Lowest Ceiling: None Visibility: 10 miles Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: None Departure Point: Bartow, FL (BOW) Destination: Lakeland, FL Wreckage and Impact Information Crew Injuries: 1 Serious Aircraft Damage: Destroyed Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal Aircraft Fire: On-ground Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None Total Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious Latitude, 27.989563,-81.99518 (est) Longitude: Administrative Information Investigator In Charge (IIC): Monville, Timothy Additional Participating Persons: Michael Tremblay; FAA/FSDO; Orlando, FL Henry J. Soderlund; Textron Aviation; Wichita, KS Note: The NTSB did not travel to the scene of this accident. Page 2 of 2 ERA21LA201 This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed..