# NTSB BFO88LA043: Beech C23, N9358S, Manassas, VA, May 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1988, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Manassas, VA
- Location: 38.7468° N, 77.4826° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manassas, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7468&lon=-77.4826&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA043

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT SAID THAT EARLIER HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT CARLISLE, PA AND DURING THE LNDG ROLL HE ENCOUNTERED A WIND GUST AND LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT. THE R WING RAISED AND THE ACFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE PLT SAID HE HEARD A LOUD BUMP AS THE L WING DRAGGED THE GROUND. THE PLT REGAINED CONTROL AND DID A GO AROUND. HE FLEW TO MANASSAS AND LANDED. AS HE TRIED TO TURN OFF THE RWY THE L GEAR COLLAPSED. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE L MAIN GEAR HOUSING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9358S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9358S), registered now, S/N M-1658, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M1658
- Airframe hours: 2415
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Miles J. Merritt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 39 hours before
- Departed: W16, WINCHESTER, VA
- Destination: W10, MANASSAS, VA
- Airport: W10, Manassas, runway 34, 3,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 401 total, 396 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19880501014639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880501014639A), May 1, 1988: Beech C23, Manassas, VA, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed after landing. On takeoff from other field had drifted off runway,left gear hit ground.

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.
