# NTSB ATL87FA004: Beech A-23-24, N60BL, Meldrim, GA, October 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1986, 01:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Meldrim, GA
- Coordinates: 32.119052, -81.479248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1191&lon=-81.4792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7258
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7258/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT FLIGHT PLANNED A TOTAL TIME ENROUTE OF 2HRS. 45 MIN. THE AIRCRAFT FUEL ENDURANCE WAS FOUR HOURS. THE PILOT USED ABOUT 1 HR. 15 MIN. ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE AN INSTRUMENT PROCEDURE. SAV WAS VFR THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE FLIGHT AND PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT HAD PERFORMED ERRATICALLY THROUGHOUT THE FLT, BY NOT MAINTAINING ASSIGNED HEADINGS AND TRACKING ENROUTE TO SAVANNAH. THIS BEHAVIOR WAS ALSO DISPLAYED DURING THE CONDUCT OF THE APPROACH PROCEDURE. THE ENG LOST POWER DURING THE APPROACH AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE DURING THE FORCED LNDG. POST ACCIDENT EXAM REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60BL-2012-10-09), registration cancelled 2012-10-09, S/N MA-241, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-23-24
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA241
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360A2B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas B. Polanski
- Registered owner: William Lazarus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1986, 61 hours before
- Departed: ELIZABETH CITY, NC
- Destination: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAV, Savannah, runway 27, 9,003 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 646 total, 9 in this make and model, 532 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 10 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 19861011048599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861011048599A), Oct 11, 1986: Beech A2324, Meldrim, GA, Substantial damage. The aircraft ran out of fuel while on approach and hit wires. The pilot was having difficulty with procedures.

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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