# NTSB ATL85FA056: Beech C23, N2074X, Athens, AL, December 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1984, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Athens, AL
- Coordinates: 34.780132, -86.948997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7801&lon=-86.9490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA056

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - carburetor heat control - not switched (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emotional reaction, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DOING TRAINING STALL TYPE MANEUVERS IN THE AREA SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A STEEP RIGHT DESCENDING TURN, CROSSING A PAVED ROAD AT LOW ALT AND STRIKING THE GROUND WITH THE RIGHT WING TIP. THE BOTTOM OF THE ACFT NOSE THEN STRUCK THE GROUND AND THEN THE LOW ROAD EMBANKMENT. THE ACFT BURNED AFTER THE FINAL IMPACT. EVIDENCE SHOWS LOW TO NO ENGINE PWR AT IMPACT. AMBIENT ATMOSPHERIC CONDITONS WERE FAVORABLE FOR CARB ICE FORMATION. THE CARB HEAT CONTROLS WERE FOUND INTHE COLD POSITION. THE ICING PROBABILITY CURVES SHOW THAT SERIOUS CARBURETOR ICING COULD OCCUR AFTER 15 MINUTES CONTINUOUS OPERATION IN THE EXISTING CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2074X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M2140
- Airframe hours: 440
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Huntsville Aviation
- Registered owner: Harold Construction Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 21, 1984, 15 hours before
- Departed: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,074 total, 12 in this make and model, 993 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 201 nm away

## 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 19841215066789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841215066789A), Dec 15, 1984: Beech C23, Athens, AL, Destroyed. Impacted ground and burned during forced landing. No malfunction found. Carburetor heat off. Carburetor ice suspect

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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