# NTSB BFO85FA008: Beech C23, N6536R, Clifton, VA, December 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1984, 16:42 local (21:42 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, VA
- Location: 38.7801° N, 77.3860° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Clifton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7801&lon=-77.3860&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA008

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - information insufficient, manufacturer (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, manufacturer (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING AT THE CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 2500 FT, THE PILOT NOTED A GRADUAL RPM DECREASE AND RESULTANT LOSS OF POWER. ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE PILOT SELECTED A ROLLING OPEN FIELD IN WHICH TO LAND WHEN HE REALIZED THAT REACHING AN AIRPORT SEVEN MILES SOUTH WAS IMPROBABLE. DURING THE LANDING ROLL A STEEP INCLINE WAS ENCOUNTERED THAT COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR AND THE ACFT SLID. THE TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT INDICATED THAT CONDITIONS WERECONDUCIVE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT APPLY CARB HEAT BECAUSE HE FELT THAT LIST IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK DOES NOT INCLUDE THE APPLICATION OF CARB HEAT. THE ENGINE WAS LATER RUN SUCCESSFULLY IN A TEST CELL WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6536R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6536R-1985-12-24), registration cancelled 1985-12-24, S/N M1577 (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: M1577
- Airframe hours: 1027
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Geaorge L. Winneberger
- Registered owner: Sundowner Association
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 1984, 25 hours before
- Departed: IAD, CHANTILLY, VA
- Destination: W70, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,009 total, 10 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAD

## 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 19841209065479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841209065479A), Dec 9, 1984: Beech C23, Clifton, VA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power during cruise. Landed in field. Carburetor icing probable. Pilot did not use carburetor heat.

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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