# NTSB CHI85LA335: Beech A23A, N6937Q, Griffith, IN, August 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Griffith, IN
- Coordinates: 41.51926, -87.419357 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5193&lon=-87.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13181
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA335
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13181/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA335

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PREFLIGHT AND TAKEOFF WERE UNEVENTFUL. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL PWR LOSS AND DISCOVERED THAT HE COULD NOT MAINTAIN LEVEL FLT. HE THEN PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A FLD. FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND NOTED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENG. THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS WERE ALDO NOTED TO BE OPERAIONAL: THE ELECTRIC BOOST PUMP, THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP AND BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE 3/4 FULL OF 100LL AVIATION FUEL. LASTLY, BOTH FUEL SUMPS WERE DRAINED WITH NO NOTICEABLE WATER OR OTHER CONTAMINANTS PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6937Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6937Q-1986-06-16), registration cancelled 1986-06-16, S/N M 1083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23A
- Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1083
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Briffith Aviation,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 1985, 13 hours before
- Departed: 05C, GRIFFITH, IN
- Destination: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 88 total, 1 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast

## 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 19850804036219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804036219A), Aug 4, 1985: Beech A23A, Griffith, IN, Substantial damage. Partial engine power loss after takeoff. Landed in field shearing gear. Loss of power unexplained.

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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