# NTSB CEN13CA423: Beech C23, N377TT, Augusta, KS, July 20, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2013, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, KS
- Coordinates: 37.675834, -96.885276 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6758&lon=-96.8853&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA423
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87526/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87526
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA423

## Probable cause

The pilot did not obtain adequate airspeed and clearance from obstructions during a grass field takeoff.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Beech C23, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor and student pilot were performing a soft field takeoff from a 2,340 foot grass runway. During the takeoff the airplane did not accelerate as expected. The flight instructor stated that the airplane lifted off, but the trees at the end of the runway were approaching quickly. The instructor then made a slight turn, aiming for some shorter trees to the right. The airplane did not climb out of ground effect and struck a barbed wire fence. The airplane then impacted the ground just beyond the fence and came to a stop in the upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings. A review of the airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) indicated from grass field, no wind, flaps up, 2000 feet mean sea level, and 88 degree Fahrenheit, the airplane would have a 1,700 foot ground roll and would need 2,827 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle. The instructor added that the airplane did not perform as the POH indicated. Based on a soft field takeoff technique of having flaps extended and nose high attitude, it’s likely the airplane did not reach the grass field performance data indicated in the POH. The soft field, nose high attitude and an over rotation of the nose, to compensate for the rapidly approaching runway end, likely degraded the airplane’s takeoff performance.

## Factual narrative

The flight instructor and student pilot were performing a soft field takeoff from a 2,340 foot grass runway. During the takeoff the airplane did not accelerate as expected. The flight instructor stated that the airplane lifted off, but the trees at the end of the runway were approaching quickly. The instructor then made a slight turn, aiming for some shorter trees to the right. The airplane did not climb out of ground effect and struck a barbed wire fence. The airplane then impacted the ground just beyond the fence and came to a stop in the upright position. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings. A review of the airplane’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) indicated from grass field, no wind, flaps up, 2000 feet mean sea level, and 88 degree Fahrenheit, the airplane would have a 1,700 foot ground roll and would need 2,827 feet to clear a 50 foot obstacle. The instructor added that the airplane did not perform as the POH indicated.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N377TT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N377TT-2013-11-26), registration cancelled 2013-11-26, S/N M-2151, built 1979 (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: M-2151
- Airframe hours: 2522
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold Cooper
- Registered owner: Harold Cooper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 16, 2013
- Departed: 3AU, Augusta, KS
- Destination: EQA, El Dorado, KS
- Airport: 20KS, Airpark Estates, runway 17, 2,340 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2013; seat: right; flight hours: 1,832 total, 50 in this make and model, 1,776 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KAAO, 16 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 20130720013069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130720013069A), Jul 20, 2013: Beech C23, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot stated the aircraft became airborne two thirds the way down the runway, but would not gain altitude. Seeing approaching trees, he elected to make a…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87526. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398420&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports (Excerpt from POH) (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20%20(Excerpt%20from%20POH)-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398421&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photo: Damaged airplane FAA photo (item 4, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%3A%20Damaged%20airplane%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20FAA%20photo-Master.PDF

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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