# NTSB ATL99LA113: Beech BE23, N2381Z, Vidalia, GA, July 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 23, 1999, 07:00 local (11:00 UTC) - Place: Vidalia, GA - Coordinates: 32.210105, -82.399871 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2101&lon=-82.3999&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46879 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL99LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46879/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA113 ## Probable cause Pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from an unsuitable pasture. A factor contributing to the accident consisted of previous damage to the leading edges of the wings. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - fence - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause) - miscellaneous,airframe - previous damage (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot departed the 900 foot pasture despite damage to the leading edge of the wing received in a previous accident and the owners advise not to fly the airplane in its current condition. Upon takeoff, the airplane became airborne and climbed 3 to 4 feet before striking a fence at the end of the pasture. The airplane subsequently yawed 180 degrees and came to rest in a rubbish pile. ## Factual narrative On July 23, 1999, at 0700 eastern daylight time, a Beech BE23, N2381Z, collided with a fence during an attempted takeoff from a pasture near Vidalia, Georgia. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot was not injured. The flight initially departed Vidalia, Georgia, at 0658. According to the an FAA Inspector, the pilot elected to takeoff from a 900 foot long grass pasture despite previous leading edge wing damage from another accident. The FAA stated that upon examination of the airplane, a large dent and torn sheet metal received from a previous accident was noticed near the stall warning vane on the leading edge of the left wing. Landing light covers located on the leading edge of both wings were also found to have been damaged and partially missing from a previous accident. Upon takeoff the airplane became airborne and climbed 3 to 4 feet before striking a fence at the end of the field. The airplane subsequently yawed 180 degrees and came to rest in a rubbish pile. The last annual performed on the airplane occurred in February of 1997, no records of further maintenance were found. No mechanical problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot. According to the pilot, additional damage to the airplane included wrinkled wing skin, bent nose gear and main gears, broken engine mount, and propeller damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2381Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2381Z-2002-09-13), registration cancelled 2002-09-13, S/N M-92, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech BE23 - 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-92 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: Duston Tapely - Registered owner: Jay A. Tapely - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1997, 53 hours before - Destination: 4JA, SOPERTON, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 213 total, 33 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VDI ## 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 19990723009529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990723009529A), Jul 23, 1999: Beech 23, Vidalia, GA, Substantial damage. Acft took off from field, hit fence. (-23) airman exercised poor judgement attempting to fly an unairworthy aircraft. See attached. ## Other investigations on N2381Z (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 CHI66F0619](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0619), Oct 18, 1965: Beechcraft 23 (N2381Z), Fort Wayne, IN, 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. --- 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.