# NTSB CHI86LA016: Beech A23.19, N5666S, Decatur, IN, October 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1985, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Decatur, IN
- Coordinates: 40.82925, -84.919303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8293&lon=-84.9193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT ON AN UNAUTHORIZED XCOUNTRY FLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LD ON A 2600'-115' SOD STRIP. ON HIS FIFTH APPROACH THE 90 DEG XWIND DRIFTED HIM INTO A TREE LINE ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF THE STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5666S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Beech A23.19
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB103
- Airframe hours: 2341
- Engines: LYCOMING 0.320E2C 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.G. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1985
- Departed: SMD, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Destination: DCR, DECATUR, IN
- Airport: DCR, Hiway, runway 18, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 23 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 19851024057249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851024057249A), Oct 24, 1985: Beech A2319, Decatur, IN, Destroyed. Unable to handle crosswind landing. Bounced, tried go around. Drifted downwind, hit trees, and impacted on a road.

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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