# NTSB ATL87FA088: Beech C23, N18879, Semora, NC, March 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1987, 16:58 local (21:58 UTC)
- Place: Semora, NC
- Coordinates: 36.530979, -79.200668 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5310&lon=-79.2007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CONDUCTING A LOCAL AIRCRAFT CHECKOUT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW PRIOR TO PULLING UP TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH A UTILITY LINE CROSSING THE INTENDED FLT PATH. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO AN OPEN FIELD IN A NOSE LOW VERTICAL ATTITUDE. THE POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED THE AIRCRAFT. THE INVESTIGATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY AIRCRAFT PROBLEM PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE PILOTS WERE CERTIFICATED AND CURRENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING FAR'S. THE EXACT MANEUVER IN WHICH THE FLIGHT WAS PERFORMING WAS NOT DETERMINED. HOWEVER, THE IMPACT PATTERN WAS INDICATIVE OF A STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18879](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18879-1988-03-15), registration cancelled 1988-03-15, S/N M1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M1957
- Airframe hours: 2240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Delbert Rhodes, doing business as Executive Aviation
- Registered owner: Delbert Rhodes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1986
- Departed: DAN, DANVILLE, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 375 total, 308 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAN, 30 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 19870320007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870320007019A), Mar 20, 1987: Beech C23, Semora, NC, Destroyed, 3 fatal. The aircraft stalled into the ground after a pull up to avoid wires. The pilots were flying dangerously low.

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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