Thursday, October 28, 2021

Beech B36TC Bonanza, N75RM: Fatal accident occurred October 27, 2021 in Lena, Oconto County, Wisconsin

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 Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas 

Arbuckle Aviation LLC


Location: Lena, Wisconsin
Accident Number: CEN22FA021
Date and Time: October 27, 2021, 18:17 Local 
Registration: N75RM
Aircraft: Beech B36TC
Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On October 27, 2021, at 1817 central daylight time, a Beech B36TC airplane, N75RM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lena, Wisconsin. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

Airplane position data indicated that the flight departed Fort Worth Meacham Airport (FTW), Fort Worth, Texas, at 1357 and proceeded on a northeasterly course. The airplane initially leveled about 15,500 ft mean sea level (msl). However, as the airplane approached a line of storms, the pilot began to deviate. Ultimately, the airplane leveled about 24,000 ft msl and returned to a northeasterly course.

Attempts by air traffic control to contact the pilot after the airplane climbed through 18,000 ft were not successful. About 1756, the airplane entered a descent from 24,000 ft msl. It was about 25 miles west of Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the time. About 2 minutes later, the airplane course became slightly erratic as the descent continued. At 1803, when the airplane altitude was about 16,100 ft msl, the course changed abruptly from northeasterly to westerly. The airplane immediately entered a right turn and returned to the northeasterly course. At that time, the airplane entered a steady descent of about 1,000 fpm, which continued until the data ended. The final data point was recorded at 1817:11. The accident site was about 540 ft northeast of the final data point and aligned with the flight path.

The airplane impacted a corn field and slid about 150 ft before coming to rest. The landing gear and wing flaps were retracted. The lower fuselage structure was damaged from the airplane nose to the midcabin area consistent with impact. Flight control continuity was confirmed from each control surface to the cockpit. An initial engine examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with an inability to produce rated power. Both fuel tanks appeared to be intact. About 35 gallons of fuel remained in the left tank; no fuel remained in the right fuel tank. The cockpit fuel selector was set to the right tank at the time of the on-scene examination. Further examination of the onboard oxygen system is pending.



Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Beech 
Registration: N75RM
Model/Series: B36TC
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC 
Condition of Light: Dusk
Observation Facility, Elevation: KOCQ,605 ft msl 
Observation Time: 18:15 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 16 Nautical Miles 
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C /3°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.09 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Fort Worth, TX (FTW)
Destination: Unknown

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 44.99211,-88.24405 

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. 

Rick Louis Mai
~


Rick Louis Mai, 67, of Sunrise Beach, passed away on October 27, 2021.

Rick was born in Tacoma, Washington to Richard "Rich" and Ellen Mai on April 23, 1954. He married Jo Lene on August 28, 1982 in Dallas. He had a great passion for hunting, boating, flying and his construction equipment. He had a passion for "pushing dirt" as he would help make designs for houses and golf course. His greatest passion was for his family, he loved taking care of his mother and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

He was bigger than life and a rock to all that knew him. He will be remembered for his witty nicknames, his love for children and being a friend to all who knew him.

Rick is preceded in death by his Father Richard Mai; Brother Mark Mai; and Sister Lauri Mai Hoffman. Rick is survived by his wife Jo Lene Mai; Daughters, Courtney Mai Smith with husband Nils Smith, Jamie Lynn Wolds with husband Ian Wolds; Son, Jacob Mai; Mother, Ellen Mai; Brother, Kurt Mai with wife Roblyn Mai; Grandchildren, Presley and Emmalyn Smith, Hannah and Carson Wolds. Rick is also survived by many friends.

A Celebration of life will be held November 19, 2021 at 10:30 am at Peace Lutheran Church. The celebration will continue at the Grand Oaks Golf Club at 12 pm located at 3502 Country Club Dr, Grand Prairie Tx 75052.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude or Peace Lutheran Church in Hurst, Texas.



Rick Louis Mai
~





Rick Louis Mai, 67, of Sunrise Beach Missouri, passed away on October 27, 2021.

Rick was born in Tacoma Washington to Richard "Rich" and Ellen Mai on April 23, 1954. He married Jo Lene on August 28, 1982 in Dallas. He had a great passion for hunting, boating, flying and his construction equipment. He had a passion for "pushing dirt" as he would help make designs for houses and golf course. His greatest passion was for his family, he loved taking care of his mother and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was bigger than life and a rock to all that knew him. He will be remembered for his witty nicknames, his love for children and being a friend to all who knew him.

Rick is preceded in death by his Father Richard Mai; Brother Mark Mai; and Sister Lauri Mai Hoffman.

Rick is survived by his wife Jo Lene Mai; Daughters, Courtney Mai Smith with husband Nils Smith, Jamie Lynn Wolds with husband Ian Wolds; Son, Jacob Mai; Mother, Ellen Mai; Brother, Kurt Mai with wife Roblyn Mai; Grandchildren, Presley and Emmalyn Smith, Hannah and Carson Wolds. Rick is also survived by many friends.

A Celebration of life will be held November 19, 2021 at 10:30 am at Peace Lutheran Church. The celebration will continue at the Grand Oaks Golf Club at 12 pm located at 3502 Country Club Dr, Grand Prairie Tx 75052

In Lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude or Peace Lutheran Church in Hurst, Texas.