Low altitude operation/event: Lockwood AirCam, N315GW, fatal accident occurred on January 29, 2024, near Ranchitos Las Lomas, Texas

• Location: Ranchitos Las Lomas, Texas 
• Accident Number: CEN24FA101 
• Date & Time: January 29, 2024, 14:41 Local 
• Registration: N315GW 
• Aircraft: Lockwood Air Cam 
• Aircraft Damage: Substantial 
• Defining Event: Low altitude operation/event 
• Injuries: 2 Fatal 
• Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193717/pdf

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193717

On January 29, 2024, at 1441 central standard time, a Lockwood Air Cam, N315GW, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ranchitos Las Lomas, Texas. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot was flying low over his ranch when the airplane impacted a 197-ft marked meteorological evaluation tower (MET) about 192 ft above ground level (agl). The outboard section of the left wing was separated from the airplane, with witness marks showing impact on both the tower mast and top guy wire. The airplane impacted terrain in an inverted attitude about 238 ft from the tower.

A review of the airplane instruments revealed that the altimeter setting was 30.36 inches of mercury (inHg). The nearest automated weather station reported an altimeter setting of 30.25 inHg about 25 minutes after the accident. The difference between the two settings would have placed the airplane 110 ft below the indicated altitude on the altimeter. The pilot had accumulated about 95 hours in the accident airplane since he completed building it in September 2023. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

The pilot’s postmortem toxicology testing detected one metabolite of delta-8- tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC); the non-psychoactive metabolite carboxy-delta-8-THC was present in cavity blood and liver specimens tested. Testing also detected gabapentin in the cavity blood and liver specimens, and alprazolam in the liver specimen. Gabapentin is used to treat nerve pain and certain types of seizures. It can cause sedation and dizziness and can impair coordination and performance of tasks such as driving and operating heavy machinery. Gabapentin typically carries a warning that the drug may interact with alcohol or other sedating medications to worsen sleepiness and dizziness. Alprazolam, sometimes marketed as Xanax, is a high-potency benzodiazepine drug available as a prescription oral medication commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. In addition to medicinal use, alprazolam commonly is misused. Alprazolam can cause sedation and psychomotor impairment, with adverse effects on tracking, attention, and reaction speed. Alprazolam typically carries a warning against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring mental alertness such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

The FAA considers gabapentin and alprazolam to be “Do Not Issue/Do Not Fly” medications, and regular use of either drug for any reason is disqualifying for pilot medical certification. The pilot’s use of cannabis, alprazolam, and/or gabapentin may have affected his judgement. However, based solely on the postmortem toxicology testing results and the accident circumstances, the level of the pilot’s possible impairment, if any, could not be determined.

- Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a meteorological evaluation tower.

Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250, N886DS, fatal accident occurred on March 22, 2026, near Sharp, Louisiana

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.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N886DS

- History of Flight:
On March 22, 2026, at about 1418 local time, a Beechcraft B200GT King Air 250, N886DS, registered to Sher Donald Trustee, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Sharp, Louisiana. The sole pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. The cross-country flight originated from the Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport (FXE/KFXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at 1229 LT.

There was no recent flight activity involving the accident aircraft. The purpose of the flight is unknown.

According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed KFXE and climbed to flight level FL280 and headed west. The majority of the flight appeared uneventful as the airplane continued cruising at that altitude. At 1417:51, the airplane was began a descending right hand turn. At 1418:01, the airplane was at 27,350 ft and descending 6700 feet per minute (fpm). At 1418:08, the airplane was at 25,000 ft and descending 24320 feet per minute. At 1418:23, the airplane was at 18,700 ft and descending 28800 feet per minute with a groundspeed of 341 knots.

The airplane impacted swampy terrain and was completely destroyed.

Figure 1: ADS-B exchange view of flight ran through Google Earth

Figure 2: Final moments

Figure 3: ADS-B exchange site view of data

- Pilot Information:
While the pilot remains unidentified, the registered owner holds a commercial pilot certificate, last issued/updated on 3/12/2010, with a rating for airplane single engine land, airplane multi engine land, and an instrument rating. He also held a flight instructor certificate that was issued on 2/20/1975, and a ground instructor certificate issued on 4/16/1971, and a flight engineer certificate issued on 2/18/1970. His third class FAA medical was issued on July 2025, with a note that he must use corrective lens(es) to meet vision standards at all required distances.

- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number BY-248, was a twin-turboprop airplane manufactured in 2015 and was powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engines.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown.

- Weather:
(1) METARs:

METAR KAEX 221753Z 19012G16KT 10SM CLR 27/15 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02720150 10278 20172 58008 $

METAR KAEX 221853Z 20014G22KT 10SM CLR 29/15 A2995 RMK AO2 SLP145 T02890150 $

METAR KAEX 221953Z 21011G21KT 10SM CLR 29/14 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP138 T02940144 $

METAR KAEX 222053Z 20017G21KT 10SM CLR 29/14 A2992 RMK AO2 PK WND 20027/2040 SLP134 T02940144 56021 $

(2) Area Forecast Discussion:

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service New Orleans LA
109 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION, MARINE...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 108 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

- Increased potential for Dense Fog Monday morning. An advisory
  is in effect for portions of SELA.

- Above normal temperatures will be in place through Friday.

- No rain in this forecast period.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Monday night)
Issued at 108 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

In the upper levels, a broad upper level ridge is centered roughly
across southern AZ/NM and northern Mexico but spread across much of
the southern US. Shortwaves have been tracking through the northern
periphery of that ridge and has one does so tonight, the eastern
side of the upper ridge will weaken slightly. What that does is
allow surface ridge centered over the eastern Gulf to move in across
the northern Gulf coast, right near the local coastal waters. Winds
locally will drop and radiational cooling takes place tonight. Model
soundings depict this setup with a decent low level inversion
developing after midnight. Stronger inversion with llvl saturation
in Baton Rouge Metro vs weaker one east of I-55. Confidence
decreases at areas along/east of there and thus kept Dense Fog
Advisory generally limited to Baton Rouge Metro to Houma, not quite
to New Orleans or the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain.

MEFFER
&&

.LONG TERM...
(Tuesday through Saturday night)
Issued at 108 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

As the above mentioned weak shortwave embedded within the
northeastern periphery of the ridge passes just northeast of the
CWA, a backdoor front does approach the region. However, that
airmass won`t make it through and temps barely drop from temporary
erosion of the eastern side of the ridge aloft.

The center of that upper ridge looks to shift east, closer to the
CWA and spread farther east to the Atlantic as the shortwave lifts
east. That`ll allow temps to moderate and lows/highs warm to 10 to
15 degrees above normal. In addition, strong subsidence from that
high pressure dome will continue to keep rain chances out of the
forecast for the remainder of the forecast period.

MEFFER
&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 108 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

Scattered CU field is developing across SELA and spreading
northeastward. Deck heights are just above MVFR/VFR threshold and
should lift higher as the afternoon progresses before dissipating
with sunset. Areas of light to dense fog looking like will develop
Monday morning. Greatest impacts should be west of a line from KHDC
to KMSY.

MEFFER
&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 108 PM CDT Sun Mar 22 2026

A broad area of high pressure centered over the eastern gulf will
keep a prevailing southwesterly wind of around 10 knots in place
through Monday. Late Tuesday, a weak front will stall near the coast
and may even get into the nearshore waters Tue night. Winds may
briefly shift to the north at 5 to 10 knots where the front passes.
By Wednesday, southerly flow of 5 to 10 knots and low end seas of 1
to 2 feet will return as high pressure over the eastern Gulf once
again becomes the dominant feature. These conditions will last
through the end of next week.

MEFFER
&&

.LIX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
LA...Dense Fog Advisory from 4 AM to 9 AM CDT Monday for LAZ034>036-
     046>048-056>060-065-083>086.

GM...None.
MS...None.
GM...None.
&&

$$

SHORT TERM...ME
LONG TERM....ME
AVIATION...ME
MARINE...ME

- Additional Information:
None

Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N2882W, fatal accident occurred on March 22, 2026, near Olympic Valley, California

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.

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N2882W

- History of Flight:
On March 22, 2026, at about 1714 local time, a privately-registered Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, N2882W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Olympic Valley, California. The sole pilot onboard was fatally injured. The personal flight originated from Monterey Regional Airport (MRY/KMRY), Monterey, California, at 1612 LT, and was destined to Truckee-Tahoe Airport (TKF/KTRK), Truckee, California.

According to flight tracking history, the aircraft had flown out of KTRK several times in the past month. On March 20, 2026, the airplane flew a 1h10m leg from KMRY to Truckee, during that flight, the airplane originally climbed to 9,500 ft, then 11,500 ft, before starting its descent towards the destination.

According to preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, on the day of the accident, the airplane departed KMRY and entered a climb to an altitude of 9,500 ft. The airplane cruised at that altitude for 48 minutes and was maintaining 185 knots groundspeed before it slightly descended to 9,300 ft, at this point, the airplane was cruising at 190 knots groundspeed. At 1713:00, the airplane started a gradual descent and the groundspeed values started to slow down. At 1713:33, the airplane was already at 8,900 ft and 125 knots groundspeed, at this point, the airplane's average descent rate began to increase. At 1713:45, the airplane was at 8,650 ft, 118 knots groundspeed, and descending 1150 feet per minute (fpm). At 1714:12, the airplane was at 8,125 ft, 111 knots groundspeed, and descending 1200 feet per minute. This was the last recorded ADS-B return point. According to self made calculations, at that point in time, the average terrain elevation was ranging from 6500 ft to 7500 ft.

According to the local sheriff, the airplane crashed in rugged mountainous terrain in a hard to reach area.

Figure 1: Side-by-side view of March 20 and March 22 flights, March 20 flight is marked in red.

Figure 2: Side-by-side view of approaches.

Figure 3: Another side-by-side view of approaches.

Figure 4: View of final seconds of March 22 flight, note that on the March 20 flight the airplane flew to the left and over mountainous terrain

Figure 5: Another view of final seconds of March 22 flight, note aircraft descending towards high terrain.

- Pilot Information:
While the pilot remains unidentified, the registered owner holds a private pilot certificate (last issued/updated 7/29/2009) with a rating for airplane single engine land and an instrument rating. His FAA BasicMed Course was dated 2/28/2025, with a note that he must wear corrective lenses.

- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number E-452, was manufactured in 1973. It was a 6-seat, low-wing, retractable gear, single engine airplane powered by a Continental IO-520 engine.

- Wreckage and Impact Information:
Unknown

- Weather:
...

(1) METARs:

METAR KTRK 222358Z 19010KT 10SM SCT200 20/M01 A3013

METAR KTRK 230058Z 23007KT 10SM BKN200 18/M01 A3012

METAR KTVL 222353Z AUTO 20009G17KT 10SM CLR 19/01 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01940011 10206 20133 56008

METAR KTVL 230053Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 18/02 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP176 T01780017

(2) Area Forecast Discussion:

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Reno NV
1233 PM PDT Sun Mar 22 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

* Temperatures will remain well above seasonal averages throughout
  the week with daily records likely to be challenged.

* Increasing afternoon winds Monday through Wednesday will create
  choppy lake conditions and potential travel impacts.

* Dry and warm conditions are expected to persist until a
  potential pattern shift arrives near the end of the month.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

The synoptic pattern remains dominated by high-amplitude ridging
centered over the West, though current visible satellite imagery
shows high-level cloud debris from an offshore moisture plume
filtering over the Sierra and western Nevada. Despite this cloud
cover, the airmass remains unseasonably warm. Heating is expected to
peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, with temperatures climbing 15-25
degrees above late-March norms. In the lower valleys of western
Nevada, highs will reach into the 80s. Sierra valleys will see
unseasonably warm highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s, while
northeast California valleys will peak in the mid to upper 70s.
These values will put daily records at risk through the middle of
the week.

As the ridge axis shifts eastward, the pressure gradient will
tighten in response to a trough clipping the Pacific Northwest.
Enhanced vertical mixing will facilitate the transfer of 700 hPa
momentum to the surface each afternoon Monday through Wednesday,
yielding gusts in the 25-35 mph range mainly north of US-50, with
portions of northern Pershing and Washoe counties hitting 35-45 mph,
Tuesday afternoon. These winds will be especially impactful for area
lakes, creating choppy conditions.

Looking toward the end of the month, the offshore moisture plume
visible on satellite will be the feature to watch for a potential
pattern break around March 30th or 31st. While there is a signal for
the ridge to finally erode and allow for cooler, wetter weather,
confidence remains low. High-pressure blocks of this magnitude often
linger longer than numerical weather prediction guidance
suggests. For now, the forecast stays dry and unseasonably warm
through next weekend, with only a slight and brief cooling trend
expected on Thursday.

-Johnston

&&

.AVIATION...

VFR conditions will hold for all Sierra and western Nevada
terminals through the next 48 hours. While high-level cloud debris
will drift through, ceilings will remain well above 15000 ft MSL
with no visibility concerns.

A standard afternoon breeze is expected today with westerly gusts
18-22kt, settling after sunset. Surface winds ramp up Monday
through Wednesday, with widespread afternoon gusts of 25-30kt as
stronger winds aloft mix down to the valley floors.

Expect mechanical turbulence and localized LLWS along the lee
side of the Sierra, particularly for KRNO each afternoon Monday
through Wednesday (18Z-03Z).

Unseasonably warm temperatures will create density altitude
issues, especially from 18Z-03Z each afternoon. Expect degraded
aircraft performance during the heat of the day.

-Johnston

&&

- Additional Information:
No