# NTSB DEN88FA170: Beech B23, N4006T, Cimarron, NM, August 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1988, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Cimarron, NM
- Coordinates: 36.499847, -104.910202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4998&lon=-104.9102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT HIS AIRCRAFT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES PROVIDED IN THE OPERATORS HANDBOOK THUS CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOSE POWER FOLLOWING TAKEOFF DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION CAUSED BY WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (cause)
  - fluid,water - fuel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AFTER A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENG POWER. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENG THE PILOT TAXIED TO THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THE ENG QUIT. AFTER DRAINING THE SUMPS THE ENG RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.THE ACFT THEN DEPARTED AND THE WITNESSES LEFT THE AIRPORT. NO ONE SAW THE ACDT. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 3 HRS LATER. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED AT THE AIRPORT FOR 11 DAYS WITH FUEL TANKS PARTIALLY FILLED. FUEL TANK CAP SEALS WERE DETERIORATED AND SEVERAL RAIN SHOWERS HAD OCCURRED AT THE AIRPORT DURING THE 11 DAYS. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS DURING THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4006T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4006T-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N M-1113, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B23
- Registry model: [Beech B23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b23) (registry code 1151240) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: N-1113
- Airframe hours: 1762
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Brooks Chartered
- Registered owner: Thomas Brooks Chartered
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: E85, CIMARRON
- Destination: RTN, RATON, NM
- Airport: E85, Philmont Scout Ranch, runway 6, 4,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,071 total, 141 in this make and model, 902 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS, 50 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 19880802071669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880802071669A), Aug 2, 1988: Beech B23BEECH, Cimarron, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.