# NTSB ATL87LA078: Beech 23, N2355Z, Augusta, GA, March 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1987, 21:04 local (Mar 2, 1987, 02:04 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.449188, -81.990623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4492&lon=-81.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7383
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7383/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - became lost/disoriented
  - initiated
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLOWN FROM A PVT STRIP TO A NRBY ARPT AT STATESBORO, GA FOR REFUELING. AFTER THE ACFT WAS REFUELED, THE ENGLOST PWR AS THE STUDENT PLT WAS TAXIING TO TAKEOFF. WATER WAS FND IN THE SUMPS, & RPRTDLY, 4 TO 6 SAMPLES WERE REQUIRED TO DRAIN WATER FROM EACH TANK. AFTER THE ENG WAS STARTED, THE ACFT WAS RPRDLY FLOWN TO SWAINSBORO, GA, THEN THE PLT TOOKOFF ON A FLT TO WAYNESBORO, GA WITH A PAX ABOARD. HE RPRTDLY MISSED HIS DESTN ARPT & STARTED AN APCH TO LAND AT BUSH FIELD AT AUGUSTA, GA. WHILE ON THE APCH, THE ENG LOST PWR & THE STUDENT PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. DURING AN EMERG LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES & BOTH WINGS WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. A POST-CRASH EXAM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE. FLUID THAT WAS DRAINED FROM THE CARBURETOR & GASCOLATOR WAS MOSTLY WATER. THE STUDENT PLT NOTED THAT THE ACFT'S FUEL TANKS HAD A TENDENCY TO ACCUMULATE WATER WHEN THE ACFT WAS PARKED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME; HOWEVER, THE SOURCE OF THE WATER WAS NOT VERIFIED. A CHECK OF THE STUDENT PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.262%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2355Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2355Z-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N M34 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M 34
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D & R Cropspraying Service
- Registered owner: D & E Cropspraying Ser. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 1, 1986
- Departed: TBR, SWAINSBORO, GA
- Destination: 2J7, WAYNESBORO, GA
- Airport: AGS, Bush Field, runway 35, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 5 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 19870301004479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870301004479A), Mar 1, 1987: Beech 23BEECH, Augusta, GA, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the aircraft hit trees. Intoxicated student flying passenger. No fuel in tanks. Water in carb.

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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