# NTSB CHI84FA112: Beech A23A, N3639Q, Oaktown, IN, February 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1984, 05:43 local (10:43 UTC)
- Place: Oaktown, IN
- Location: 38.8717° N, 87.4412° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oaktown, IN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8717&lon=-87.4412&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12387
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12387/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA112

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - wing - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT STALLED & CRASHED AFTER A PWR LOSS DURING NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT. PLT RADIOED A 'MAYDAY' CALL AFTER REPORTING 3 MINS EARLIER HE HAD 30-45 MINS OF FUEL REMAINING. INDIANAPOLIS ARTCC WAS GIVING FLT ASSISTANCE TO N3639Q & ADVISED THE FLT OFAN ARPT AT 'YOUR TWO O'CLOCK POSITION AND 3 MILES.' THIS OCCURRED AFTER SOME DISCUSSION, WHICH STARTED AT 0522:45, ABOUTTHE FLTS LOW FUEL STATE AND FUEL REMAINING VS DISTANCE TO EVANSVILLE. HUF SECTOR ADVISED AT 0530:51, 'THERE ARE SEVERAL,UH, SMALLER ARPTS ALONG THE WAY THERE IF YOU, UH, NEED TO GO DOWN, LET US KNOW.' PLT MADE NO DECISION AT THIS TIME. AT 0535:38, PLT WAS AGAIN QUESTIONED ABOUT FUEL AND ADVISED THAT HIS ESTIMATE OF FUEL REMAINING WAS CAUTIONARY FOR THE REMAINING DISTANCE TO DESTINATION. PLT CONFIRMED THAT ENOUGH FUEL REMAINED. AT 0538:35, PLT TRANSMITTED, '39QUEBEC OUT OF GAS. GOING DOWN AT THIS TIME.' THE PLT CONTINUED TO COMMUNICATE BY RADIO AND WAS VECTORED TOWARD AN ARPT. APRX 1 MIN AFTER THE ARPT WAS SIGHTED, RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3639Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MI039
- Airframe hours: 2581
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346 A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: P. Kessler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1983, 85 hours before
- Departed: 71J, OZARK, AL
- Destination: GYY, GARY, IN
- Airport: Green Pvt.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 264 total, 5 in this make and model, 159 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 160° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HVF, 34 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 19840218075369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840218075369A), Feb 18, 1984: Beech A23A, Oaktown, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Fuel exhaustion, stalled trying to stretch glide. Fuel gauges read full with 20 gallons or more.

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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