# NTSB BFO94LA157: Beech A-23, N1462L, Felton, DE, August 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1994, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Felton, DE - Coordinates: 39.00032, -75.569534 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0003&lon=-75.5695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8977 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8977/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control. A factor is the pilot's failure to do a go around. ## 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 - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - terrain condition - crop - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis The pilot reported that he touched down just passed the 1/2 the distance of the 3,300-foot-long runway. He stated the airplane bounced up into the air and he decided to abort the landing. He stated he applied full power and a moment later the airplane encountered a 'windshear' and it descended to the runway. The airplane contacted the runway and then veered off the side of the runway into a soy bean field. While rolling through the soy bean field, the nose gear and right main gear collapsed. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented if he made decision to do a go around sooner. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1994, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft A-23, N1462L, was substantially damaged during an attempted aborted landing from a private airstrip in Felton, Delaware. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The local personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that there was an 8 knot crosswind present during the landing. He stated the airplane touched down just passed the 1/2 way down mark on the 3,300-foot-long runway and became airborne again. He stated he elected to abort the landing and applied full power. The pilot stated, "I applied full power, a short distance later the plane encountered an apparent windshear and touched the runway again." The pilot said that the airplane veered off the runway into a soy bean field collapsing the right main gear and nose gear. The right wing and propeller contacted the field and were damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions contributing to the accident. He wrote on his Pilot Aircraft Accident Report under the Recommendations Section (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented), "Make decision to go around sooner." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1462L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1462L), registered now, S/N M-857 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH A-23 - 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: M-857 - Airframe hours: 1319 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wagenhoffer, John & Susan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1994, 14 hours before - Airport: runway 33, 3,300 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 109 total, 91 in this make and model, 83 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19940828047009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940828047009A), Aug 28, 1994: Beech A23, Felton, DE, Substantial damage. Landing long. Elected to go around lost control in gusty wind. Veered off runway. Collapsed nose and right gear. 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.