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=N8032X
- History of Flight:
On April 25, 2026, at about 1151 local time, a privately-registered Beechcraft F33A Bonanza, N8032X, was destroyed when it impacted terrain shortly after takeoff from runway 32 at Crystal Airport (MIC/KMIC), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The pilot and non-pilot rated passenger were fatally injured. The personal flight was originating at the time, and was destined to Park Rapids Municipal Konshok Field (PKD/KPKD), Park Rapids, Minnesota.
According to flight data history:
- On April 15, 2026, at 1206, the airplane flew a 42m local flight out of Park Rapids Municipal Airport (KPKD), Park Rapids, Minnesota.
- On April 18, 2026, at 0757, the airplane flew a 1h14m personal flight from KPKD to Red Wing Regional Airport (KRGK), Red Wing, Minnesota. The return was trip was 6 hours later at 1534.
- On April 24, 2026, at 1240, the airplane flew a 53m personal flight from KPKD to KMIC.
- On April 25, 2026, the airplane was supposed to fly a return trip from KMIC to KPKD.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, at 1141:34, the airplane started taxiing from the ramp and proceeded to taxiway A then E. At 1143:35, the airplane came to a halt in the run-up area for runway 32. At 1145:07, the started moving again, but stopped at 1147:52. At 1148:15, the airplane proceeded to runway 32. At 1150:20, the airplane started its takeoff from runway 32. At 1151:01, the airplane was at 900 ft, 85 knots groundspeed over the departure end of the runway when it began a left turn. At 1151:07, the airplane was at 950 ft, 76 knots groundspeed, with an average rate of 640 feet per minute (fpm). At 1151:08, the last ADS-B return was recorded over the accident site, the airplane was at 950 ft, 71 knots groundspeed, 450 feet per minute (fpm).
According to air traffic control (ATC) recording, the airplane was allowed twice to pull forward towards the holding area for runway 32, the pilot acknowledged the line up request and started waiting. The airplane was then cleared for takeoff from runway 32. A few seconds later, a mumbled voice, presumably the accident pilot, was heard on the recording. The ATC cleared the pilot to land on any runway and cancelled the landing clearance for an arriving airplane. Nothing else was heard from N8032X.
Figure 1: ADS-B exchange data
- Pilot Information:
Unknown at this point. The passenger did not hold a pilot's license.
- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number CE-1551, was manufactured in 1991. It was a 5-seat, low-wing, retractable gear single engine airplane powered by a Continental IO-520 engine.
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted terrain in a park located 0.17 mile from the departure end of the runway. The wreckage was upright, both wings and fuselage were destroyed by the post crash fire. The tail was the only recognizable part and showed extensive thermal damage.
- Airport:
KMIC is a towered public airport located 8 miles northwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airport field elevation is 869.3 ft. The airport features two asphalts runway 14/32 (3751 x 75 ft) and 6L/24R (2500 x 75 ft). The airport also features a turf runway 6R/24L (1669 x 137 ft).
- Weather:
Weather conditions at the time included: 0 winds, 10 miles visibility, a broken cloudlayer at 11,000ft AGL, temperature 13°C, dewpoint -2°C, and an altimeter setting of 30.01 inches of mercury.
(1) METARs:
METAR KMIC 251553Z 00000KT 10SM SCT100 12/M02 A3003 RMK AO2 RAE32 SLP171 P0000 T01171022=
METAR KMIC 251653Z 00000KT 10SM BKN110 13/M02 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP167 T01281022=
METAR KMIC 251753Z 16006KT 10SM FEW110 13/M01 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP162 60000 T01331006 10139 20061 56016=
(2) Area Forecast Discussion:
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
657 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Showers possible throughout the day today for portions of
western/ central Minnesota with more widespread rainfall
arriving late Sunday through Monday.
- Cooler and drier weather for Tuesday onward with some near or
below freezing temperatures possible through Friday morning.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 250 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
A southwest to northeast oriented band of rain is cutting across
eastern South Dakota into southwestern Minnesota this morning.
It appears that this precip is still fighting the low level dry
air as is moves into Minnesota based on surface obs. As the
layer moistens over the next few hours, expecting shower
activity to increase in coverage up into west central Minnesota.
Have boosted PoPs and QPF quite a bit for this time period.
There looks to be a couple rounds of rain for today with a short
break through midday before additional rain arrives. QPF totals
during the day today are generally a few hundredths to around a
quarter inch, concentrated over western Minnesota. Rain chances
ramp up again tonight and shift into central Minnesota where
around a quarter inch of rain is possible.
For Sunday into Monday, there will be another break in the rain
chances Sunday morning before a low moves across the Central Plains.
Ample warm air and moisture advection associated with this low will
work to increase rainfall chances area wide. QPF amounts of 1 to
1.5" through early Tuesday still seem reasonable, with a Marginal
Risk for excessive rainfall highlighting eastern and southern
Minnesota and all of Wisconsin. Cooler air will work in behind this
system with highs in the low to mid 50s Tuesday through the end of
the week. Temperature wise, it`s the overnight/morning lows that
will pose a threat to any susceptible vegetation as temps fall to
near freezing for some. We`ll warm back to near normal by the end of
the period with continued dry conditions.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 650 AM CDT Sat Apr 25 2026
What you see now is what we`ll see the rest of the weekend, a
band of light rain wandering across MN. Rain today looks remain
north of MKT and EAU, but all other terminals have rain
chances. MSP/RNH will be this morning, while RWF/AXN/STC will
have the chance for several hours rain this afternoon/evening.
We did pull back quite a bit on the MVFR cig mention this
period, with RAP soundings showing MVFR cigs arriving around 21z
at RWF, with all other terminals not really looking to see MVFR
cig potential increase until late tonight or Sunday morning.
KMSP...After a little light rain through 15z, MSP looks to
remain dry until the main batch of rain arrives Sunday evening.
CIGS should remain VFR until that main batch of showers arrives
Sunday evening.
/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
SUN...VFR, bcmg MVFR/-SHRA late. Wind E 5-10kts.
MON...MVFR/RA likely, chc TSRA/IFR. Wind SE 10-15G25kts.
TUE...MVFR/-SHRA early, then VFR. Wind NW 15-20G30kts.
