# NTSB BFO94LA133: Beech 23, N2341L, Freeport, PA, August 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 1994, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC) - Place: Freeport, PA - Coordinates: 40.559734, -79.749557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5597&lon=-79.7496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8957/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA133 ## Probable cause The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the instructor's inadequate supervision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - airspeed - not attained, dual student - stall/mush - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with object, takeoff ## Analysis The instructor and student were on a training flight when the airplane struck trees during takeoff on runway 21. The instructor reported they were doing a short field takeoff, when the student 'froze' at the control wheel. The instructor was unable to regain control of the airplane, which drifted right and struck trees at the end and right of the runway. According to the student pilot, who had 39 hours of total time, the airplane was flying in ground effect, but would not gain altitude. Witnesses reported the airplane lifted off, with a high pitch- right bank attitude. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 1993, a Beech 23, N2341L, an instructional flight, collided with trees during initial take off climb near Freeport, Pennsylvania. The visual meteorolgical conditions existed. The certified flight instructor received minor injuries; the student pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The local area instructional flight was being operated by Neal Plocki of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The instructor reported, "after normal (engine) run-up, attempted takeoff. At rotation, aircraft lifted off ground, then dropped back on wheels. On the next rotation attempt, aircraft was flying in ground effect, but would not gain altitude. At this point, power was reduced and instructor steered aircraft to an area to right of runway to an area of trees. The right wing was sheared off, and the left side of aircraft struck trees." According to the FAA, "Witnesses stated the aircraft lifted off with a high nose attiude and a low right wing. It continued to fly down the runway, drifting to the right until it hit trees . . . The instructor stated that they were executing a short field takeoff when the studen "froze" on the controls and the instructor could not get control of the aircraft from the student. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2341L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2341L-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N M-172, 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: M-172 - Airframe hours: 2250 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Neal Plocki - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1994, 10 hours before - Departed: P37 - Destination: P37, PA - Airport: P37, Mcville, runway 21, 2,000 × 40 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 6 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19940812021339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940812021339A), Aug 12, 1994: Beech 23BEECH, Freeport, PA, Substantial damage. Short field takeoff. Student froze on controls. CFI unable control. Drifted into trees. Lift off high pitch wing low 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.