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March 8, 2026 · Beech A36 · N66519

Gulf Shores, AL

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 8, 2026
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Gulf Shores, AL
Aircraft
Beech A36 (1982)
Tail Number
N66519
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ERA26LA140

On March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida, destined for Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama. Preliminary ADS-B data showed the airplane departed FIN and made two left turns to join an outbound heading of 278° with some minor course adjustments primarily along a direct flight path. The airplane climbed to and leveled off at 6,000 ft mean sea level (msl) until passing Pensacola, Florida. At Pensacola, the aircraft began a gradual descent to 1,500 ft. Preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications revealed that during the approach phase of the flight, Pensacola approach control instructed the pilot to turn right to a heading of 360°. The pilot acknowledged and reported a weak radio signal. Shortly afterward, ATC advised the pilot he was 4 miles from the final approach fix and instructed him to turn right to a heading of 060° and to maintain 1,600 ft until established on the final approach course. The pilot was then cleared for the RNAV runway 9 approach, and he correctly acknowledged all the instructions. The controller asked if his radio reception had improved and the pilot reported, “slightly better”. The pilot began his right turn but stopped the turn on a heading of about 050° and flew through the final approach course. The approach controller advised him that he had passed through the final approach course and instructed him to turn to a heading of 110° to rejoin the final approach course. The pilot did not acknowledge the first transmission but correctly acknowledged the second instruction. The airplane entered a descending right turn and leveled off briefly at an altitude of 800 ft on a heading of about 150°. It then entered a gradual tightening left turn and climb to 1,300 ft, before transitioning into a steep descending turn. The airplane impacted the water on a heading of between 300° and 324° at a ground speed of about 165 knots. Underwater sonar scans showed the wreckage was scattered over an area 700 ft long by 300 ft wide in water depths of 8-9 ft. Portions of the wreckage have been recovered and retained for further examination.

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2026, about 1900 central standard time, a Beechcraft A36, N66519 was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama. The pilot and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed Flagler Executive Airport (FIN), Palm Coast, Florida, destined for Gulf Shores International Airport (JKA), Gulf Shores, Alabama. Preliminary ADS-B data showed the airplane departed FIN and made two left turns to join an outbound heading of 278° with some minor course adjustments primarily along a direct flight path. The airplane climbed to and leveled off at 6,000 ft mean sea level (msl) until passing Pensacola, Florida. At Pensacola, the aircraft began a gradual descent to 1,500 ft. Preliminary air traffic control (ATC) communications revealed that during the approach phase of the flight, Pensacola approach control instructed the pilot to turn right to a heading of 360°. The pilot acknowledged and reported a weak radio signal. Shortly afterward, ATC advised the pilot he was 4 miles from the final approach fix and instructed him to turn right to a heading of 060° and to maintain 1,600 ft until established on the final approach course. The pilot was then cleared for the RNAV runway 9 approach, and he correctly acknowledged all the instructions. The controller asked if his radio reception had improved and the pilot reported, “slightly better”. The pilot began his right turn but stopped the turn on a heading of about 050° and flew through the final approach course. The approach controller advised him that he had passed through the final approach course and instructed him to turn to a heading of 110° to rejoin the final approach course. The pilot did not acknowledge the first transmission but correctly acknowledged the second instruction. The airplane entered a descending right turn and leveled off briefly at an altitude of 800 ft on a heading of about 150°. It then entered a gradual tightening left turn and climb to 1,300 ft, before transitioning into a steep descending turn. The airplane impacted the water on a heading of between 300° and 324° at a ground speed of about 165 knots. Underwater sonar scans showed the wreckage was scattered over an area 700 ft long by 300 ft wide in water depths of 8-9 ft. Portions of the wreckage have been recovered and retained for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CST
Nearest AirportGulf Shores Intl/Jack Edwards (8.5nm W)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN66519
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightNight
Wind110° @ 8 kt
Visibility0.5 sm
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.07 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data