# NTSB ATL03LA047: Beech C23, N2190W, Valdosta, GA, February 18, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 18, 2003, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Valdosta, GA - Coordinates: 30.782499, -83.276664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7825&lon=-83.2767&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56517 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56517/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall and collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the student pilot, the airplane was high on approach to runway 17. The pilot requested a go-around, and reached down to retract the flaps. The airplane stalled and collided into a stand of trees. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On February 18, 2003, at 1730 eastern standard time, a Beech C23, N2190W, registered to A & E Air LLC and operated by a student pilot collided with terrain during final approach to Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta, Georgia. The instructional flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The student pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight departed Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta, Georgia, on February 18, 2003 at 1700. According to the student pilot, the airplane was high on approach to runway 17. The pilot contacted the Valdosta control tower and requested a go-around. The tower controller cleared the flight to make a right turn to enter a left downwind to runway 35. When the student pilot reached down to retract the flaps, the airplane stalled and collided into a stand of trees. Examination of the wreckage site revealed the airplane came to rest in a stand of trees at the approach end of runway 17. Examination of the right wing revealed it separated from the airframe at the wing root. Approximately four feet of the outboard left wing was separated. The fuselage and empennage sections of the airframe were buckled. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the student pilot. Review of the pilots operating handbook revealed: Power off stall speeds as follows: flaps up, level 61 knots; flaps down (35 degrees), level, 50 knots. Maximum altitude loss during a normal stall recovery is approximately 300 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2190W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2190W-2004-03-16), registration cancelled 2004-03-16, S/N M-1560, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C23 - Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-1560 - Airframe hours: 2614 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Elaine McMillian - Registered owner: A&E Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 3, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: 15J, ADEL, GA - Destination: VLD, VALDOSTA, GA - Airport: VLD, Valdosta Regional, runway 17, 6,302 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 85 in this make and model, 21 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: VLD ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030218002219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030218002219A), Feb 18, 2003: Beech C23, Valdosta, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) During final approach to land on runway 17, the pilot requested a go-around. Tower control cleared the flight to make a right turn to enter a left… ## Other investigations on N2190W (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 FTW77FQG45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FQG45), Jul 30, 1977: Beech B23 (N2190W), Gruver, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.