# NTSB ATL88FA123: Beech C23, N9272S, Sevierville, TN, March 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1988, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Sevierville, TN
- Coordinates: 35.780567, -83.609451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7806&lon=-83.6095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR ACROBATIC FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL WITNESSES THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING ACROBATICS WITH THREE PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND DID NOT RECOVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9272S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9272S-1989-01-19), registration cancelled 1989-01-19, S/N M1758 (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: M 1758
- Airframe hours: 2947
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Instruction Inc
- Registered owner: William F Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1988, 19 hours before
- Departed: DKX, KNOXVILLE, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 210 total, 20 in this make and model, 177 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYS

## 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 19880322045419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880322045419A), Mar 22, 1988: Beech C23, Sevierville, TN, Substantial damage, 4 fatal. Was observed to perform hammerhead stalls at a low altitude. Went into a spin on last one and unable to recover.

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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