# NTSB BFO87LA035: Beech A23, N3543R, Ravenswood, WV, May 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1987, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Ravenswood, WV
- Coordinates: 38.950382, -81.759284 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9504&lon=-81.7593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PROVIDING FREE PROMOTIONAL RIDES FOR A FLIGHT SCHOOL. HE WAS ON THE FOURTH FLIGHT OF THE DAY, ON FINAL APPROACH, IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK SMALL TREES. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND 250FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTONS/FAILURES. AIRCRAFT WEIGHT AND BALANCE COMPUTATIONS INDICATE THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3543R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3543R-2005-07-25), registration cancelled 2005-07-25, S/N M-711, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M711
- Airframe hours: 1145
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Benjamin Roush, Jr.
- Registered owner: Evelyn A & Benjamin F Roush
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1987, 24 hours before
- Airport: I18, Jackson County Municipal, runway 21, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 20 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Observed at: PKB, 31 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 19870509018749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870509018749A), May 9, 1987: Beech A23, Ravenswood, WV, Destroyed. Clipped trees turning final. Hit nose first and cartwheeled. Aircraft was over gross weight.

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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