# NTSB CHI88DEC01: Beech 23, N2326L, Brighton, MI, April 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1988, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Brighton, MI
- Coordinates: 42.529949, -83.779182 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5299&lon=-83.7792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEC01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEC01

## Probable cause

THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN (TREES AND A LAKE) ENCOUNTERED DURING A FORCED LANDING MADE NECESSARY BY THE PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT'S POWERPLANT DURING AND ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND. THE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT SANK; THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBMERGED FOR OVER 20 HOURS BEFORE IT WAS SALVAGED FROM THE LAKE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, AFTER A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT WITH HIS CHILDREN AS PASSENGERS, HE RETURNED TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT AND RE-ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR RUNWAY 22. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH HE DIDN'T LIKE THE WAY THINGS LOOKED AND CHOSE TO GO-AROUND. HE STATED THAT INITIALLY THE AIRCRAFT RESPONDED NORMALLY AND BEGAN TO CLIMB, BUT 'IMMEDIATELY AFTER METERING OFF FLAPS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE GROSSLY OUT-OF-BALANCE.' THE PILOT PERFORMED EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, BUT THE 'LOSS OF POWER AND ALTITUDE CONTINUED....LAKE LANDING WAS VERY SUSPECT DUE TO LACK OF ALTITUDE. REVIEWED AREA FOR ALTERNATIVE - NONE!' THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A LARGE TREE AND THEN CONTACTED A SMALLER TREE BEFORE IT DESCENDED INTO THE LAKE. PILOT AND PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT SANK. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBMERGED FOR MORE THAN 20 HOURS BEFORE IT WAS RECOVERED FROM THE LAKE. A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE RUN-UP WAS SATISFACTORILY ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2326L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2326L-1991-04-03), registration cancelled 1991-04-03, S/N M152 (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-152
- Airframe hours: 3072
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald Andrew Lademann
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, February 12, 1988, 7 hours before
- Airport: 45G, Hyne Field, runway 22, 1,800 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 74 total, 6 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 36 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 19880418009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880418009659A), Apr 18, 1988: Beech 23BEECH, Hartland, MI, Substantial damage. Engine malfunctioned on a go around. Hit trees and crash landed in lake. Found fuel hose brittle and cracked.

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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