# NTSB CHI90FA250: Beech A23A, N8871M, St Paul, MN, August 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1990, 10:58 local (15:58 UTC)
- Place: St Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.869468, -92.990951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8695&lon=-92.9910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90FA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90FA250

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

ABOUT 1.5 HRS AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT RPRTD A LOSS OF ENG POWER.  WHEN ASKED ABOUT HER POSITION, THE PLT RPRTD THAT SHE WAS 'OVER THE RIVER.'  A WITNESS SAW THE ACFT AT AN ESTIMATED 500 TO 800 FT AGL.  HE SAID THE ACFT'S NOSE ROSE TO A HIGH ANGLE, THEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED & THE ACFT WENT INTO A SPIN & DOVE INTO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.  NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND.  ON THE PREVIOUS FLT, THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLOWN ABOUT 1.4 HRS, USING FUEL FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.  THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE ACFT HAVING BEEN REFUELED AFTER THAT FLT.  DURING A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ACFT, THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS FOUND IN THE 'ON' POSITION, BOTH FUEL GAGES WERE INDICATING EMPTY & THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FND POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8871M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8871M-1993-12-06), registration cancelled 1993-12-06, S/N M614 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23A
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-614
- Airframe hours: 2454
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Black Sheep Flying Club
- Registered owner: Paul Dotty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990, 67 hours before
- Departed: STP, ST PAUL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 70 total, 6 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F

## 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 19900830037479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900830037479A), Aug 30, 1990: Beech A23, Newport, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Stalled and spun into river.

## Other investigations on N8871M (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 CHI81FER09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FER09), Dec 28, 1980: Beech A23 (N8871M), Stanton, MN, 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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