# Accident 20210601007409A: Beech A23, Pinnacle, NC, June 1, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 1, 2021, 17:21 local time
- Place: Pinnacle, NC
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.3408° N, 80.3928° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3408&lon=-80.3928&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8780M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8780M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech A23 (registry code 1151204, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-346 series (registry code 17033, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO-346 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA21FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA237) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210601007409A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

N8780M SUFFERED ENGINE LOSS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND ON THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND THE  MAGNETO SWITCH WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED A LANDING IN A FIELD. AIRCRAFT LEFT WING IMPACTED THE GROUND, FUSELAGE IMPACTED THE GOUND APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET BEYOND INITIAL IMPACT POINT. EVIDENCE INDICATES THERE WAS FUEL IN THE LEFT WING. APPROXIMATELY ONE QUART OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA21FA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21FA237), Jun 1, 2021: Beech A23 (N8780M), Pinnacle, NC, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The flight instructor’s mismanagement of the available fuel, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N8780M (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19810314026529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810314026529I), Mar 14, 1981: Beech A23 (N8780M), Terre Haute, IN, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control during landing and struck runway lights.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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