# NTSB DEN03LA004: Beech C24R, N18917, Newcastle, UT, October 9, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 2002, 19:30 local (Oct 9, 2002, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Newcastle, UT
- Coordinates: 37.538333, -113.516944
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5383&lon=-113.5169&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA004

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the tree during takeoff. A factor was the reduced light conditions.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot landed on a dirt road and his employer, who owned a country home nearby, disembarked. The pilot was taking off when the left wing struck a tree, spinning the airplane 90 degrees to the left. The airplane then struck a rock that tore off the nose landing gear. Both wings and the wing spar were bent.

## Factual narrative

On October 8, 2002, approximately 1930 mountain daylight time, a Beech C24R, N18917, was substantially damaged when it struck a tree on takeoff from a dirt road near Newcastle, Utah. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, and its destination was St. George, Utah.

The following is based on a telephone interview with, and the accident report submitted by, the pilot. The pilot landed on the dirt road and his employer, who owned a country home nearby, disembarked. The pilot was taking off to return to St. George when the left wing struck a tree, spinning the airplane 90 degrees to the left. The airplane then struck a rock that tore off the nose landing gear. Both wings and the wing spar were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18917](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18917-2005-06-20), registration cancelled 2005-06-20, S/N MC-525, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-525
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeremy Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: NONE, Newcastle, UT
- Destination: SGU, St. George, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 31, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,296 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,231 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observed at: SGU, 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 20021008028159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021008028159A), Oct 8, 2002: Beech C24R, Pinto, UT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot states: taking off down hill to the east, just after lift off my left wing hit a cedar tree causing me to go off the road. I hit a rock which…

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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