| Crash location | 34.295555°N, 118.469167°W |
| Nearest city | Sylmar, CA
34.307778°N, 118.449250°W 1.4 miles away |
| Tail number | N136RM |
|---|---|
| Accident date | 12 Aug 2018 |
| Aircraft type | Beech A36TC |
| Additional details: | None |
On August 12, 2018, about 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36TC airplane, N136RM, collided with terrain near Sylmar, California, after declaring an emergency while approaching the Whiteman Airport (WHP), Los Angeles, California. The private pilot was fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Placerville Airport (PVF), Placerville, California about 1200 and was destined for WHP.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that while the airplane was approaching the WHP airport, the pilot declared an emergency indicating problems with the airplane's engine. An air traffic controller cleared the pilot to land at either WHP or the nearby Van Nuys Airport (VNY). The pilot did not respond and no further transmissions were received from the pilot.
Witnesses reported they observed the airplane flying south over an interstate. The airplane was flying low when it started a right turn, but then turned left and descended below a hillside.
The airplane was moved to a secure location for further examination.