# NTSB CHI87LA028: Beech 23, N2335Q, Laporte, IN, November 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1986, 10:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Laporte, IN
- Coordinates: 41.59933, -86.709945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5993&lon=-86.7099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13694
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13694/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AT THE INITIAL FULL THROTTLE POSITION THE ACFT DEVELOPED 2450 RPM. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET OF ALTITUDE HE NOTICED A LOSS OF RPM'S TO 2050 AND HE IMMEDIATELY RECHECKED THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CONTROLS, THE MAGNETO SWITCH, THE FUEL PUMP, AND THE MASTER SWITCH FOR PROPER POSITIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT AT THIS POINT THE RPM'S HAD FALLEN TO 1500 AND HE PREPARED FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A CORNFIELD TO HIS LEFT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DURING THE DESCENT HE CONTINUED TO MANIPULATE THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CONTROLS, BUT HE DID NOT SWITCH FUEL TANKS. THE PLT STATED THAT ONCE THE ACFT'S RIGHT WING TOUCHED THE TOP OF THE CORN, HE REDUCED THROTTLE AND FLARED THE ACFT. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED VERY LOW FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK, WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK POSITION. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE ALSO WORN AND LEAD FOULED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2335Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2335Q-1989-08-23), registration cancelled 1989-08-23, S/N M400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-400
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold Grise
- Registered owner: Harold I. Grise
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3LP, LA PORTE, IN
- Destination: TEL, TELL CITY, IN
- Airport: 3LP, La Porte Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 189 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 20 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 19861111054549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861111054549A), Nov 11, 1986: Beech 23BEECH, La Porte, IN, Substantial damage. The engine lost power during takeoff and the aircraft landed in a cornfield. Pilot suspects icing in fuel or carb.

## Other investigations on N2335Q (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC66D0141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0141), Aug 5, 1965: Beechcraft 23 (N2335Q), Gaithersburg, MD, substantial damage

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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