# NTSB ATL89LA060: Beech C23, N6046V, Gilbertsville, KY, December 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1988, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Gilbertsville, KY
- Coordinates: 36.959331, -88.26902 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9593&lon=-88.2690&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7971
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7971/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA060

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING PREFLT INSPECTION FUEL WAS NOTED TO BE UP TO THE SLOTS IN THE TAB FOR THE REDUCED FUEL INDICATORS, OR 20 GAL EACH TANK. A 3 HOUR, DARK NIGHT, CROSS COUNTRY WAS FLOWN TO DESTINATION. PIC SAID ACFT ARRIVED WITH ABOUT 5 GAL FUEL REMAINING IN EACH TANK. ON FINAL APPROACH THE ACFT WAS TOO HIGH AND A GO AROUND WAS INITIATED. AFTER APPLYING FULL POWER AND RAISING THE FLAPS THE ENGINE QUIT SUDDENLY AT ABOUT 650 FEET ABOVE GROUND. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE STRAIGHT AHEAD INTO TREES. THE FLT MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST MAKING A TAKEOFF WITH THE FUEL GAGES INDICATING IN THE YELLOW BAND WHICH IS FROM E TO 1/3. A GO AROUND ON FINAL INVOLVES A NOSE UP ATTITUDE SIMILAR TO THAT EXPERIENCED ON TAKEOFF. EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK & THE CARBURETOR. LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY AND RUPTURED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL. THE SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6046V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6046V-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N M-2171, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2171
- Airframe hours: 2408
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Kapinus/Charles Doyle
- Registered owner: Kapinus, David M/Mertogul,
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1988, 74 hours before
- Departed: JOT, JOLIET, IL
- Airport: M34, Kentucky Dam State Park, runway 27, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 108 total, 84 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19881223056379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881223056379A), Dec 23, 1988: Beech C23, Gilbertsville, KY, Destroyed. Too high, began go around, engine quit. Landed in trees. Fuel selector was on empty tank. Found fuel in other tank.

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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