The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Location: Bartow, FL
Accident Number: ERA17LA237
Date & Time: 07/08/2017, 0755 EDT
Registration: N6682U
Aircraft: BEECH C23
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On July 8, 2017, about 0755 eastern daylight time, a Beech C23, N6682U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power after takeoff from Bartow Municipal Airport (BOW), Bartow, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was privately owned and operated and the personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida.
The pilot reported the preflight inspection and initial takeoff were normal, and when about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. He stated he switched fuel tanks and the engine momentarily surged, then "quit" again. The pilot landed straight ahead, impacting terrain just past the end of runway 09L. He stated he departed with 20 gallons of fuel in each tank. The pilot reported the airplane had an annual inspection the week before and had flown four or five hours of flight time prior to the accident flight.
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Both propeller blades were bent aft nearly 90°. The propeller was manually rotated, valve train continuity was confirmed, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. First responders had reported fuel pouring out of the left wing, and the fuel tank was empty during the inspector's exam. Several gallons of fuel remained in the right wing fuel tank. Several ounces of fuel were drained from the carburetor. Further examination of the carburetor did not reveal any mechanical anomalies.
The spark plugs displayed normal wear and ignition spark from the impulse coupling on one of the magnetos was observed for each cylinder in proper sequence following the compression stroke for each of those cylinders. Both the induction and exhaust systems for the engine were free from any obstruction or blockage other than crush damage as a result of the accident.
The four-seat, low-wing airplane was manufactured in 1983 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-360, 180-horsepower reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on June 28, 2017, at that time the airplane had 8,785 total aircraft hours.
The pilot held a commercial certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate. He reported 2,651 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for a FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued on August 24, 2016.
The weather conditions reported at BOW at 0745, included wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 24° C, dew point 24° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial; Private
Age: 78, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed:No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Waiver Time Limited Special
Last FAA Medical Exam: 08/24/2016
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/07/2017
Flight Time: 2651.6 hours (Total, all aircraft), 399 hours (Total, this make and model), 2400.8 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 15 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N6682U
Model/Series: C23 NO SERIES
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1983
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: M-2389
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/28/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2450 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 8785 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: O-360 SER
Registered Owner: LTC AVIATION INC
Rated Power: 180 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBOW, 125 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0745 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 298°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.96 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 24°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Bartow, FL (BOW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: TITUSVILLE, FL (TIX)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0800 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: BARTOW MUNI (BOW)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 124 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 09L
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor, 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 27.945556, -81.773611
I wonder if it was carburetor icing? The icing chart shows serious icing potential at glide power with a temp/dew point of 24C.
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