Beechcraft M35 Bonanza, N9862R, accident occurred on November 4, 2026, near New Smyrna Beach, Florida

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N9862R

- History of Flight:
On November 3, 2026, at about 1511 local time, a Beechcraft M35 Bonanza, N9862R, registered to ISR Aviation LLC, was destroyed when it impacted terrain in a wooded area near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The sole pilot onboard was seriously injured. The personal flight originated from Merritt Island Airport (COI/KCOI), Merritt Island, Florida, and was destined to New Smyrna Beach (EVB/KEVB), New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at 1351.

According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed KCOI and proceeded north to an inflight cruising altitude of 4,700 ft. About 14 minutes into the flight, the airplane initiated a descent from that altitude as it was nearing KEVB. At 1509:59, the airplane was at 1,100 ft, 105 knots groundspeed, when it turned right towards the east. At 1511:15, the airplane was at 450 ft, 70 knots groundspeed, when it turned left towards a wooded area. At 1511:47, the last ADS-B data point was recorded about 2 miles west of KEVB, the airplane was at 50 ft, 62 knots groundspeed, and descending 700 feet per minute (fpm).

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange track ran through Google Earth

Figure 2: ADS-B exchange raw data

The airplane came to rest upright in a wooded area west of KEVB. The cockpit area was penetrated by a tree and left the cabin seats exposed. There was no post crash fire.

The accident airplane, serial number D-6409, was powered by a Continental IO-470 reciprocating engine.

At 1447, KEVB was reporting winds 120 at 12 knots, 10 miles visibility, a scattered ceiling at 4,800 ft AGL, temperature 28 °C, dewpoint 22 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.94 inches of mercury.

- Weather:

METAR KDAB 041953Z 10008KT 10SM FEW033 SCT050 BKN250 27/21 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP140 T02670206 $

METAR KDAB 042053Z VRB05KT 10SM FEW033 FEW050 BKN200 26/21 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02610206 56015 $