# NTSB ERA17LA237: Beech C23, N6682U, Bartow, FL, July 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 2017, 07:55 local (11:55 UTC) - Place: Bartow, FL - Coordinates: 27.945554, -81.773612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9456&lon=-81.7736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA237 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## 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 (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/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) ## Analysis The commercial pilot completed a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted. He indicated that, shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a total loss of power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation; thus, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2017, about 0755 eastern daylight time, a Beech C23, N6682U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power after takeoff from Bartow Municipal Airport (BOW), Bartow, Florida. The commercial pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was uninjured. The airplane was privately owned and operated and the personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that was destined for Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX), Titusville, Florida.The pilot reported the preflight inspection and initial takeoff were normal, and when about 200 to 300 ft above ground level, the engine suddenly lost power. He stated he switched fuel tanks and the engine momentarily surged, then "quit" again. The pilot landed straight ahead, impacting terrain just past the end of runway 09L. He stated he departed with 20 gallons of fuel in each tank. The pilot reported the airplane had an annual inspection the week before and had flown four or five hours of flight time prior to the accident flight. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. Both propeller blades were bent aft nearly 90°. The propeller was manually rotated, valve train continuity was confirmed, and thumb compression was obtained on all cylinders. First responders had reported fuel pouring out of the left wing, and the fuel tank was empty during the inspector's exam. Several gallons of fuel remained in the right wing fuel tank. Several ounces of fuel were drained from the carburetor. Further examination of the carburetor did not reveal any mechanical anomalies. The spark plugs displayed normal wear and ignition spark from the impulse coupling on one of the magnetos was observed for each cylinder in proper sequence following the compression stroke for each of those cylinders. Both the induction and exhaust systems for the engine were free from any obstruction or blockage other than crush damage as a result of the accident. The four-seat, low-wing airplane was manufactured in 1983 and was equipped with a Lycoming O-360, 180-horsepower reciprocating engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on June 28, 2017, at that time the airplane had 8,785 total aircraft hours. The pilot held a commercial certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate. He reported 2,651 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for a FAA third-class medical certificate, which was issued on August 24, 2016. The weather conditions reported at BOW at 0745, included wind calm, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 24° C, dew point 24° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6682U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6682U-2019-07-03), registration cancelled 2019-07-03, S/N M-2389, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C23 (NO SERIES) - 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-2389 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 8785 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 28, 2017 - Departed: BOW, Bartow, FL - Destination: TIX, TITUSVILLE, FL - Airport: BOW, Bartow Muni, runway 09L, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review February 7, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,651.6 total, 399 in this make and model, 2,400.8 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KBOW, 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 20170708009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170708009019A), Jul 8, 2017: Beech C23, Bartow, FL, Substantial damage. The acft reportedly lost power during takeoff from rwy 9L and landed hard off the end of the rwy. The PIC reported that the engine lost power at 200 to 300 ft,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95533. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 835 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476396&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476397&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 725 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF 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.