# NTSB ATL97LA038: Beech 23, N2379L, Palatka, FL, February 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 3, 1997, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Palatka, FL - Coordinates: 29.640115, -81.650138 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6401&lon=-81.6501&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3820 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3820/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA038 ## Probable cause failure of the nose gear for undetermined reason(s). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - landing gear,nose gear - failure (cause) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis While on a local flight, the pilot of Beech 23, N2379L, did a number of touch-and-go landings. On his final landing, he heard the pilot of another aircraft reported that they were also in the landing pattern. The pilot of N2379L decided to land long in order to be close to a taxiway, in consideration of the other aircraft. He made a flat touchdown, at which time, he heard a 'crack.' The pilot pulled back on the yoke, and the aircraft porpoised, then settled back to the runway. The nose gear collapsed, and the aircraft skidded off the side of the runway. A fire erupted from the wheel well, which was extinguished by a hand held fire extinguisher. The cause of the nose gear failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On February 3, 1997, about 1105 eastern standard time, a Beech 23, N2379L, collapsed the nose landing gear during landing at the Kay Larkin Airport, Palatka, Florida. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the local, personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot or his passenger, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Palatka, about 1000, on the same day. The pilot stated that the airplane was a 1963 model and had been used by a flight school prior to his ownership. The accident occurred during a local flight as the pilot was conducting touch and go landings to runway 35. On his final landing, another flight reported on the UNICOM frequency that they would also be landing on runway 35. The pilot said he extended his approach to touchdown so as to land near a taxiway toward the end of the runway, in consideration of the trailing airplane. He made a flat touchdown, at which time he heard a "crack." The pilot stated he then "immediately pulled the yoke all the way back". The airplane porpoised. As the second touchdown was accomplished, the pilot noted the nose gear was folding under. He eased the nose down, and applied left brake to veer the airplane off the runway. The nose tire caught fire, the pilot said, and the fire burned through the cockpit floor. After evacuating the airplane, the pilot used a hand held fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Afterwards, the pilot observed that the nose gear had collapsed rearward. A FAA inspector noted there was fire damage to the nose wheel area, and the firewall was damaged from the nose gear failure. The cause of the nose gear failure was undetermined. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2379L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2379L-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N M-219, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 23 - Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-219 - Airframe hours: 1714 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Loyd H. Smith - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1996, 16 hours before - Departed: 28J - Airport: 28J, Kay Larkin, runway 35, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 200 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGJ, 28 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 19970203002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970203002319A), Feb 3, 1997: Beech 23, Palatka, FL, Substantial damage. (.4)While on a local flight, the pilot of Beech 23, N2379L, did a number of touch-and-go landings. On his final landing, he heard the pilot of another aircraft… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.