# NTSB ATL92LA168: Beech C23, N63892, Pageland, SC, August 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1992, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Pageland, SC
- Coordinates: 34.769035, -80.38047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7690&lon=-80.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA168

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN, RESULTING IN AN OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE NOSE GEAR ATTACHMENT SUPPORT TUBES. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE PILOT AND THE DITCH ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear attach point - overload
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS MAKING A PRACTICE LANDING AT A LOCAL AIRPORT. AS THE NOSE GEAR CONTACTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE, HE APPLIED THE WHEEL BRAKES, AND THE NOSE DROPPED TO AN 'UNUSUALLY LOW NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE.' THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY SURFACE. AN INSPECTION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE RUNWAY SHORTLY AFTER NOSE GEAR TOUCHDOWN. THE WHEEL BRAKES AND NOSE WHEEL STEERING SYSTEMS SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-ACCIDENT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT TWO SUPPORT TUBES ON THE NOSE GEAR FRAME WERE BROKEN, AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FULL NOSE GEAR STRUT COMPRESSION DURING THE TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED HIS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE ABOUT THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD LOGGED ABOUT 11 HOURS AS PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63892](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63892-1992-12-15), registration cancelled 1992-12-15, S/N M2363 (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-2363
- Airframe hours: 3923
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piedmont Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Piedmont Aviation Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1992, 52 hours before
- Departed: EQY, MONROE, NC
- Airport: 35J, Pageland, runway 23, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 99 total, 7 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 40 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 19920828033969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920828033969A), Aug 28, 1992: Beech C23, Pageland, SC, Substantial damage. Impacted runway nose first on landing. Prop strikes on runway prior main gear marks. Impact broke nose gear tubes.

## Other investigations on N63892 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL83LA126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA126), Mar 4, 1983: Beech C-23 (N63892), Florence, KY, substantial damage

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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