# NTSB BFO94LA122: Beech C23, N9313S, Easton, MD, June 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1994, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Easton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.769771, -76.060691 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7698&lon=-76.0607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA122

## Probable cause

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision, resulting in a hard landing and a subsequent collapse of the nose gear.  Also causal to the accident, was the student pilot's improper raising of the wing flaps during the landing flare.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - raising of flaps - improper, dual student (cause)
  - flare - not performed, dual student
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT AND INSTRUCTOR WERE PRACTICING A SIMULATED SHORT FIELD APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22.  DURING THE LANDING FLARE, THE STUDENT PILOT RETRACTED THE FLAPS AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD.  THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST ON THE RUNWAY.  POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE FAA, REVEALED NO PREACCIDENT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR DEFICIENCIES.

## Factual narrative

On June 29, 1994, about 1100 eastern daylight time, a Beech C23, N9313S, was substantially damaged during landing at the Easton/Newnam Field Airport, Easton, Maryland. The Certified Flight Instructor and student pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight was being conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

The local area instructional flight was being operated by Maryland Air of Easton.  In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the flight instructor stated,

...On final approach to runway 22, the student pilot      had established a stabilized approach with full flaps,      correct approach speed and power setting, and a      constant rate of descent. After clearing the 50'      obstacle (simulated) and preparing to flare for      landing, the student pilot retracted the flaps.  He      immediately realized his error and re-extended the      flaps, his hand not having left the flap mechanism,      while I, closely followed by Mr. Hafer [(the student      pilot)], reached to the throttle to add power.       However, the airplane had been too close to the ground      to prevent its rapid sinking to the runway, and      consequent hard landing during which the nose gear      collapsed....

The airplane came to rest nose down on the runway.

Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, revealed no discrepancies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9313S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9313S-2024-11-09), registration cancelled 2024-11-09, S/N M-1648, 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: M1648
- Airframe hours: 3024
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maryland Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 1994, 21 hours before
- Departed: ESN
- Destination: ESN
- Airport: ESN, Easton/Newnam Field, runway 22, 5,511 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 650 total, 38 in this make and model, 522 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESN

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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