# NTSB CEN25LA382: Beech C23, N997V, South Bend, IN, September 10, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 10, 2025, 14:08 local (18:08 UTC) - Place: South Bend, IN - Coordinates: 41.708224, -86.317337 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7082&lon=-86.3173&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 201006 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201006/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201006 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA382 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go around which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Beech C23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Beech C23, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, about 200 to 300 ft above the ground, the pilot’s side door became unlatched. The pilot decided to return to the airport and land to close the door. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with left rudder input, but the airplane continued to the right. He initiated a go-around but was unable to gain sufficient airspeed. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. According to the pilot no mechanical failures or malfunctions were observed before the door opened during the initial climb. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N997V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N997V-2026-01-20), registration cancelled 2026-01-20, S/N M-2234, 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-2234 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 1962.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 2025, 0 hours before - Departed: BSN, South Bend, IN - Destination: OEB, Coldwater, MO - Airport: SBN, South Bend Intl, runway 09R/27L, 8,412 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total, 411 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 80; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 3, 2025; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,060 total, 10 in this make and model, 3,625 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KSBN - METAR: KSBN 101754Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM CLR 25/08 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP214 6//// T02500083 10256 20139 58002= ## 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 20250910019489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250910019489A), Sep 10, 2025: Beech C23, South Bend, IN, Substantial damage. On 09/10/2025, at approximately 1418 EST, during a proficiency flight on a clear day with unlimited visibility, the pilot in charge (PIC) and passenger, a… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 15, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201006. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19654956&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20FORM%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident report photograph (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19654461&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.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. --- 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.