# NTSB DEN88LA122: Beech C23, N9311S, Gallup, NM, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Coordinates: 35.519634, -108.730682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5196&lon=-108.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17475
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88LA122
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17475/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88LA122

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - mixture - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS TAKING OFF WITH THREE PASSENGERS FOR A PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY AND ONLY GAINED ABOUT 50 FEET AGL ACCORDING TO A WITNESS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT REACHED 200 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND FELL BACK ON THE RUNWAY, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY FIRST AND THE LANDING GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST OFF THE RUNWAY. THE DESITY ALTITUDE WAS REPORTED BY THE FSS AS 9,200 FEET. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS AIRPLANE WAS LOADED TO WITHIN 20 POUNDS OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT. THE PLT ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD NOT LEANED THE MIXTURE PROPERLY AND FELT THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT PRODUCING FULL POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9311S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9311S-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N M-1634, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (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: M 1634
- Airframe hours: 3634
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jim C. Hitt
- Registered owner: Hitt, James C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1987, 186 hours before
- Destination: AMARILLO, TX
- Airport: GUP, Gallup Municipal, runway 24, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 174 total, 145 in this make and model, 141 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP, 1 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 19880605018229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605018229A), Jun 5, 1988: Beech C23, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Stalled on climbout and fell to runway. Within 20 lbs of gross wt. Density altitude 9200 ft. mixture not leaned.

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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