# NTSB ATL83LA301: Beech C23, N6629J, Atlanta, GA, July 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1983, 00:12 local (04:12 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.740631, -84.569396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7406&lon=-84.5694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA301

## 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
  - object - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL ON A DARK NIGHT, THE PLT FLEW PAST THE ARPT. AFTER RECEIVING A DF-STEER, HE OBSERVED THE ARPT ENVIRONMENT & DESCEND TO LAND ON RWY 8R. HIS INITIAL APPROACH WAS HIGH, SO HE CIRCLED AS HE DESCENDED TOWARD THE ARPT. REPORTEDLY, HE LOST SIGHT OF THE RWY & DID NOT REALIZE THAT HE WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE INTENDED LANDING AREA UNTIL REACHING A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. THE PLT INITIATED A GO-AROUND & RAISED THE FLAPS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN BESIDE RWY 14/32 WHILE ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. THE IMPACT POINT WAS TO THE RIGHT OF RWY 8R. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT STALLED AFTER HE RAISED THE FLAPS. RWY 8R WAS LIGHTED AND RWYS 8L & 14/32 WERE UNLIGHTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6629J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2185
- Airframe hours: 1962
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William C. Chapman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1983, 104 hours before
- Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Destination: FTY
- Airport: FTY, Fulton County, runway 8R, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 207 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY

## 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 19830731036669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830731036669A), Jul 31, 1983: Beech C23, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost ground reference during final approach for landing during dark night conditions.

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.

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