Saturday, August 21, 2021

Socata TBM700, N700DT: Fatal accident occurred August 20, 2021 near Grimes Field Airport (I74), Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio

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 National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio


Location: Urbana, OH 
Accident Number: CEN21FA376
Date & Time: August 20, 2021, 14:40 Local
Registration: N700DT
Aircraft: Socata TBM 700
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 20, 2021, about 1440 eastern daylight time, a Socata TBM 700A airplane, N700DT, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Urbana, Ohio. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Preliminary air traffic control information revealed the airplane was en route from the ErieOttawa Airport (PCW), Port Clinton, Ohio, to the Cincinnati Municipal Airport (LUK), Cincinnati, Ohio. The airplane departed runway 9 at PCW and climbed to flight level 200 before beginning to descend. The airplane was southbound, descending to 12,000 ft mean sea level (msl), and established communications with the assigned terminal radar approach control controller. The controller cleared the pilot to descent to 10,000 ft msl and proceed direct to LUK. While descending through 12,100 ft msl, the airplane entered a left turn. The controller observed the left turn and asked the pilot if everything was alright; there was no response from the pilot. Radar contact was subsequently lost with the airplane. The controller’s further attempts to establish communications were unsuccessful.

A witness, located about 2 miles south of the accident location, stated that he observed the airplane at a high altitude in a nose-dive descent toward the terrain. He reported the airplane was not turning or spinning; it was headed straight down. The witness observed no signs of distress, such as smoke, fire, or parts coming off the airplane, and he stated the airplane’s engine was at full throttle. The witness lost sight of the airplane as it descended behind some trees.

The accident site was located 1.3 miles northwest of the last radar contact. The accident site showed the airplane impacted trees, two powerlines, and the terrain in a left-wing low attitude. The initial ground scar, located in a residential yard, contained separated components of the left wing. The airplane crossed a highway, struck trees and a ditch, and then continued into mature potato and soybean fields. The airplane wreckage was scattered at a distance of about 2,050 ft along a measured magnetic heading of 275°.


According to acquaintances of the pilot, the pilot purchased the airplane about 9 days before the accident. Following the purchase, the pilot and a flight instructor completed several hours of ground school and 15.5 hours of dual instruction in the airplane.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Socata
Registration: N700DT
Model/Series: TBM700A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KI74,1067 ft msl 
Observation Time: 14:55 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 2.5 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 28°C /20°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Scattered / 4000 ft AGL 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.01 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Port Clinton, OH (PCW)
Destination: Cincinnati, OH (LUK)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Latitude, Longitude: 40.066464,-83.774502 (est)

Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.

 Martin Beerman, MD


Dr. Martin H. Beerman
June 7, 1953 - August 20, 2021


Martin Howard Beerman, age 68, is a much-beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and physician caring for many patients over his long career exclusively in the greater Sandusky area. His life was tragically cut short on August 20 while flying his plane, which he loved to do.

Marty was the first child and soon-to-be big brother, born in Camden, NJ and living briefly in California before arriving in Dayton to become a lifelong Buckeye. He attended Cornell Heights grade school and briefly Fairview High School, then Meadowdale High School. Pre-med followed at Miami (of Ohio) University, and medical school at The Ohio State University. He interned at Yale New Haven Hospital, then returned to OSU for residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in gastroenterology. After completing his medical education he moved to Sandusky to join a practice in gastroenterology, and never left.

He was an avid fitness buff, running almost every morning before doing procedures and seeing patients. He also loved being on the water in Sandusky Bay and the pond, for water skiing (barefoot and otherwise), windsurfing, kite-boarding, swimming, cycling, and anything that would get him moving in the wind and water.

Wintertime brought many years of alpine skiing, then he never looked back after being converted to a fulltime snowboarder by his little brother.

Marty was also a true foodie and gourmet cook, and could always be found puttering around in the kitchen with exotic entrees, his famous Caesar salad, and delicious desserts. He loved to travel and trying new restaurants, but most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Karlynn Beerman, daughters Brooke Durnwald and Katie Campbell, son Trevor Durnwald, mother Joyce Kardon, brother David Beerman, and sisters Nancy Tashman and Beth Pomerantz. And also by Parker, his faithful furry companion, who was always curled up in his office.

He was preceded in death by Stanford Beerman and Charles M. Kardon.

Friends may call on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 from 2pm to 7pm in the Groff Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1607 E Perkins Ave, Sandusky. Private family services will be conducted. Interment will be 3pm, Wednesday, August 25, 2021 in Riverview Cemetery, Dayton, OH.

Memorial contributions may be made to Erie County Humane Society, 1911 Superior St, Sandusky, OH 44870 or Back to the Wild, 4504 Bardshar Rd, Castalia, OH 44824.