# NTSB ATL85LA105: Beech C23, N2013K, Knoxville, TN, March 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Knoxville, TN
- Location: 35.9638° N, 83.8737° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at KNOXVILLE DOWNTOWN ISLAND (DKX), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9638&lon=-83.8737&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 85-05-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/85-05-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - other (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN FOR OVER 90 DAYS & WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS BEFORE FLYING WITH PASSENGERS. WHILE CLIMBING FROM A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER AT ABOUT 250 TO 300 FT AGL. THE PLT SAW ONLY A RIVER AHEAD, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN & LAND ON THE ARPT. HE STATED THAT HE DROPPED THE NOSE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO KEEP FROM HITTING TREES. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT WITH THE TREES & GROUND. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND POSITIONED HALF WAY BETWEENTHE LEFT & RIGHT POSITIONS. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL STRAINER OR FUEL LINES FORWARD OF THE FIREWALL. WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS MOVED TO EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT POSITIONS, FUEL FLOWED FREELY, BUT NO FUEL WOULD FLOW IN THE INTER- MEDIATE POSITION. THE INVESTIGATOR NOTED THAT WHEN THE FLAPS WERE SELECTED, THE FUEL SELECTOR COULD EASILY BE BUMPED. ALSO, THE DETENTS ON THE SELECTOR WERE WEAK & THE SELECTOR COULD EASILY BE MOVED. AD 85-05-02, AMENDMENT 39-5912, WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH; HOWEVER, IF SO, IT WOULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED THIS PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2013K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2067
- Airframe hours: 3351
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Islanc Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 11, 1985, 50 hours before
- Departed: DKX
- Airport: DKX, Knoxville Downtown, runway 8, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 67 total, 13 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS, 11 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 19850303040709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850303040709A), Mar 3, 1985: Beech C23, Knoxville, TN, Destroyed. Engine quit on takeoff. Stalled into trees. Fuel selector bumped to off. A d on fuel selector not complied.

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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