# NTSB CHI89FA036: Beech B23, N6100N, Jeffersonville, IN, December 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1988, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Jeffersonville, IN
- Coordinates: 38.29988, -85.720176 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2999&lon=-85.7202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14240
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14240/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA036

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION IN ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AFTER A PARTIAL ENGINE FAILURE, AND HIS ENCOUNTERING A STALL/SPIN AT LOW ALTITUDE FROM WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system - leak (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,magneto - loose (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - precautionary landing - initiated
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES RPRTD THAT WHILE THE ACFT WAS ON THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RWY 36, THERE WAS A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG POWER. THEY RPRTD THE ACFT ENTERED A TURN TO THE WEST & FLEW OVER TREES BETWEEN RWYS 36 & 14 AT A RELATIVELY LOW ALTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A STEEP LEFT TURN AS IF TO LINE UP WITH RWY 14. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT THEN ROLLED ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT, ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT ENG REVEALED THE LEFT MAGNETO WAS LOOSE & COULD BE ROTATED IN ITS MOUNT IN EITHER DIRECTION. ALSO, WHEN THE #3 CYLINDER WAS REMOVED, IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACK APRX HALF WAY AROUND THE HEAD. ONE EXHAUST STUD WAS MISSING FROM THE CYLINDER & THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ENG HAD BEEN OPERATING WITH AN EXHAUST LEAK ON THE CYLINDER. THE ENG HAD ACCUMULATED ONLY 274 HRS SINCE MAJOR OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6100N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6100N-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N M1186 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B23
- Registry model: [Beech B23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b23) (registry code 1151240) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1186
- Airframe hours: 1582
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Resch, David P.
- Registered owner: Resch, David P
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1988, 59 hours before
- Departed: JVY, JEFFERSONVILLE, IN
- Destination: SER, SEYMOUR, IN
- Airport: JVY, Clark County, runway 36, 5,500 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 174 total, 54 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDF, 12 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 19881226056269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881226056269A), Dec 26, 1988: Beech 23BEECH, Jeffersonville, IN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Engine quit on takeoff climb. Stalled making a steep turn trying to make runway. Cylinder 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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