1) SD-D, C-FIT

Beechcraft A-36 | N66519

March 7th, 2026 | Gulf Shores, Alabama

Accident Location

  • City: Gulf Shores
  • State: Alabama
  • Latitude: 30.2896
  • Longitude: -87.6718
  • Airport ID: KJKA

Aircraft Info

  • N Number: N66519
  • Make: Beechcraft
  • Model: A-36
  • Aircraft Category: Aircraft Single Engine Land
  • Amateur Built: No

Pilot Info

  • PIC Name: George, Jon Leslie
  • Gender: Male
  • Pilot Age: 68
  • Pilot Hours:
  • Flight School: No
  • Instructional Flight: No
  • Pilot Certification: Private Pilot
  • IFR Rating: Yes
  • Pilot Error: Yes
  • Pilot Medical: 3rd Class Medical
  • Pilot Incapacitation: No

Analysis

  • Date: March 7th, 2026
  • Time: 6:45 PM Local Time
  • Day / Night: Day
  • VMC / IMC: IMC
  • Phase Of Flight: Approach
  • Total People Onboard: 2
  • PIC Fatality: 1
  • PAX Fatalities: 1
  • Ground Fatalities: 0
  • Total Fatalities: 2
  • NTSB No:
  • NTSB Travel: Unknown
  • AQP Classification: 1) SD-D, C-FIT

Probable Cause

DTSB: The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Spatial Disorientation – Day, during a sunset, low visibility IMC approach over water. The aircraft impacted the water at 06:43:25 PM local time, well before sunset. The accident pilot had ben cleared for the RNAV GPS 09 approach to KJKA and became distracted and/or disoriented during the turn to the east. The aircraft attempted to join final but became erratic in both heading and altitude. The aircraft impacted the water significantly north of the final approach course and off heading. The FAA record indicates that the accident pilot had obtained his instrument rating on February 19, 2025.

NTSB: NONE

Recommendation

DTSB: The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft rehearse and condition themselves to be prepared to fly by reference to instruments only, and not be distracted or influenced by visual cues outside the aircraft, especially when operating over water in low visibility situations.

NTSB: NONE

DISCLAIMER: All data and Probable Cause listings are “Probable” only. They are based on opinion and educated speculation, and are for educational purposes only. They may contain incorrect information and are subject to change as new information becomes available.