Beech King Air 90, registered to and operated by Guardian Flight LLC, N617MM: Accident occurred July 12, 2018 in Tolani, Arizona

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Lake City, Utah
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas

Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

https://registry.faa.gov/N617MM

Location: Tolani Lake, AZ
Accident Number: WPR18LA197
Date & Time: 07/12/2018, 0210 MDT
Registration: N617MM
Aircraft: Beech 90
Injuries: 3 None
Flight Conducted Under:  Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning 

On July 12, 2018, about 0210 mountain daylight time, a Beech King Air C90A airplane, N617MM, experienced an inflight upset while in a climb near Tolani, Arizona. The pilot and passengers were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The airplane was registered to and operated by Guardian Flight LLC. as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. Instrument meteorological conditions were reported along the route of flight about the time of the accident, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Arizona at 0255 mountain standard time and was destined for Gallup Municipal Airport (GUP), Gallup, New Mexico.

The pilot reported that during the initial climb, with the auto pilot engaged, while climbing through 17,000 to 19,000 ft, the airplane entered an uncommanded left bank and downward pitch. The pilot disconnected the auto pilot system and regained control of the airplane. The pilot continued to his destination without further incident.

The airplane was retained for further investigation.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech
Registration: N617MM
Model/Series: 90 C90A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Guardian Flight LLC
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KINW, 4883 ft msl
Observation Time: 0956 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 17°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 11000 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.18 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Flagstaff, AZ (FLG)
Destination: Gallup, NM (GUP)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 3 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 None
Latitude, Longitude:  35.318056, -110.660000 (est)