# NTSB CHI90LA175: Beech A23, N8854M, Tecumseh, MI, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 11:37 local (15:37 UTC)
- Place: Tecumseh, MI
- Coordinates: 41.999092, -83.939918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9991&lon=-83.9399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14707
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14707/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA175

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNKNOWN REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT MADE AN OFF AIRPORT FORCED LANDING IN A BEAN FIELD DURING WHICH THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. A COMPLETE POWERPLANT ANALYSIS DURING TEARDOWN WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT BOTH MAGNETOS AND WIRING HARNESS WERE STOLEN PRIOR TO THE TEARDOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8854M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8854M-1996-08-01), registration cancelled 1996-08-01, S/N M589 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-589
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. L. Fisher Development Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1989, 49 hours before
- Airport: 3TE, Merillat, runway 18, 4,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JXN, 68 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 19900715025849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025849A), Jul 15, 1990: Beech A23, Tecumseh, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crashed in bean field. One scored cylinder noted recent top overhaul.

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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