# NTSB BFO88LA004: Beech 23, N2387Q, Front Royal, VA, October 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1987, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Front Royal, VA
- Coordinates: 38.920204, -78.180068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9202&lon=-78.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11385
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11385/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING AT ABT 2000 FT AGL, THE PLT NOTICED A CHANGE IN ENG SOUND. THE TACH INDCN DROPPED BELOW 1000 RPM & THE SUCTION GAUGE WENT BELOW THE GREEN ARC. DURING A SUBSEQUENT EMERG LNDG, THE NOSE & LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED IN SOFT TERRAIN. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND. THE ENG RAN SATISFACTORILY DURING AN OPNL CHECK AFTER THE ACDNT. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 67 & 42 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS, CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARB ICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2387Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2387Q-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N M-467, 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: M467
- Airframe hours: 2050
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter A. Greenburg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1987
- Departed: FDK, FREDERICK, MD
- Destination: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 460 in this make and model, 480 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB, 27 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 19871018059929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871018059929A), Oct 18, 1987: Beech 23BEECH, Front Royal, VA, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Collapsed landing gear in soft soil landing. No anomalies. Suspect carb ice. Conditions presen

## Other investigations on N2387Q (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 CHI65D0055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65D0055), Jan 31, 1965: Beechcraft 23 (N2387Q), Roselle, IL, 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.