# NTSB CHI92LA024: Beech C-23, N38036, Burlington, IA, November 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1991, 10:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, IA
- Coordinates: 40.799781, -91.119117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7998&lon=-91.1191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT HAVING AN IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTOR POSITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - snow covered
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT HAD COMPLETED A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AND ENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND.  WHILE ON BASE LEG THE PILOT APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT,  REDUCED POWER AND EXTENDED LANDING FLAPS BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED SHE WAS TOO HIGH.  ONCE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT EXTENDED ADDITIONAL FLAPS.  UPON EXTENSION OF THE FLAPS THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND DESCEND RAPIDLY.  THE PILOT STATED THE STALL WARNING HORN ACTIVATED AND THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE RIGHT DURING THE DECELERATION AND DESCENT.  THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND FORWARD ELEVATOR PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE.  THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND WITH THE APPLICATION OF THROTTLE.  DURING THIS PROCESS THE PILOT STATED SHE LOST SIGHT OF THE AIRPORT.  SHORTLY AFTER THIS ACTION THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING.  AN ON SCENE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK CONTAINED APPROXIMATELY 1 GALLON OF FUEL, AND THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED ON THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK.  THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY 3/4 FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38036](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38036-1992-09-14), registration cancelled 1992-09-14, S/N M2299 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2299
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Univ. Of Il. Board Of Trustees
- Registered owner: Univ. Of Il. Board Of Trustees
- Departed: CMI, CHAMPIION, IL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 88 total, 34 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BRL, 2 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 19911109050019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911109050019A), Nov 9, 1991: Beech C23, Burlington, IA, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation on approach to airport. On landing struck trees. Fuel selector on empty tank. No fuel leaks.

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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