# NTSB ERA09FA100: Beech C23, N2109W, Linden, NJ, December 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 21, 2008, 16:49 local (21:49 UTC) - Place: Linden, NJ - Coordinates: 40.616943, -74.239997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6169&lon=-74.2400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Lycoming, FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69604 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09FA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69604/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09FA100 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Beech C23, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Beech C23, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Beech C23, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that on climbout, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, he noticed that the engine was producing only 1,700 to 1,800 rpm. At that point, he repositioned the fuel selector from the left to right tank, and then and looked for a place to land. The airplane subsequently entered an aerodynamic stall and crashed into a tree. A postcrash fire consumed a significant portion of the wreckage. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. In addition, the pilot had purchased fuel just prior to the accident takeoff. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 21, 2008, about 1649 eastern standard time, a Beech C23, N2109W, lost engine power and collided with a tree near Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual as a personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was being operated under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed for the planned flight to Williamsburg, Virginia. The pilot stated that he arrived at the airport in the afternoon, removed the covers from the airplane, and taxied to the fixed base operator for fuel. After removing a small patch of ice from the wing, he went inside to check the weather and complete a weight and balance check before departing. He said that on climbout, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, he noticed that the engine was producing only 1,700 to 1,800 rpm. At that point, he repositioned the fuel selector from the left to right tank, and then looked for a place to land. Shortly thereafter, he heard the stall warning horn, and attempted to lower the nose to prevent the airplane from stalling. The airplane subsequently stalled and crashed into a tree. He then exited the airplane, extricated his passenger from the airplane, and called 911. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 33, held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His certificate was issued on April 21, 2008. He also held a second-class medical certificate, issued on February 27, 2008. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was manufactured in 1972 as a four-seat, low-wing airplane with fixed tricycle landing gear, and powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4G, 180-horsepower engine. The aircraft logbooks were not recovered and presumed consumed in the postcrash fire. The pilot reported on the National Transportation Safety Board Form 6120.1 that the last annual was completed on June 1, 2008. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION The LDJ 1725 weather observation reported: winds 270 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, temperature 1 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -4 degrees C, and altimeter setting of 29.55 inches of mercury. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the airplane revealed that it came to rest 800 feet off of the departure end of runway 27. The airplane was facing a heading of 090 degrees magnetic. The cockpit section, instrument panel, and instruments were totally consumed by postcrash fire. Examination of the wings revealed that all flight control surfaces necessary for flight were located at the accident site. Flight control cable continuity was established to all flight controls. The propeller flange was impact damaged and separated from the crankshaft. The propeller was still connected to the flange and the propeller blades displayed chord wisebending. One blade exhibited S bending, and was bent aft. Examination of the engine by a Safety Board investigator, Federal Aviation Administration inspector, and a Lycoming representative revealed that it exhibited extreme external heat damage to all of its components. The engine was rotated by turning the crankshaft flange, and continuity of the crankshaft to the rear gears and to the valve train was confirmed. Suction and compression were observed from all four cylinders. Inspection of the cylinders with a lighted borescope revealed no anomalies. After examination of the engine, no indication of preimpact damage to, or failure, of the engine was observed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2109W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2109W-2017-06-14), registration cancelled 2017-06-14, S/N M-1432, built 1973 (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-1432 - Airframe hours: 3100 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4G 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008 - Departed: LDJ, Linden Airport, NJ - Destination: JGG, Williamsburg, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LDJ, Linden Airport, runway 27, 4,137 × 100 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 27, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,840 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,391 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: LDJ ## 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 20081221856049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081221856049A), Dec 21, 2008: Beech C23, Linden, NJ, Destroyed. Aircraft took off from Linden Airport and it appeared the engine failed. Eyewitnesses heard the engines sputtering. The pilot attempted to return to the… 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.