# NTSB ERA21LA149: Beech 23, N2374J, Rogersville, TN, March 3, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: March 3, 2021, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Rogersville, TN · runway 25
- Coordinates: 36.457583, -82.885028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4576&lon=-82.8850&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102716/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102716
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA149

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in an initial hard landing, separation of the left main landing gear, and a runway excursion during a subsequent landing attempt.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech 23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech 23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Beech 23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Beech 23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Beech 23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151202), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was attempting to land the airplane and reported that after a hard landing the left main landing gear fractured and then separated from the airplane. The pilot then aborted the landing. He then attempted to land the airplane again by keeping the left wing in the air as long as possible. As the airplane slowed, and the control authority of the ailerons decreased, the airplane veered left into the grass of the left side of the runway. During the runway excursion, the fuselage and empennage were substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2374J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2374J-2021-10-06), registration cancelled 2021-10-06, S/N M-338, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-338
- Year built: 1963
- Airframe hours: 3286
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2021
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: RVN, Hawkins County, runway 07/25, 3,502 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 25, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 172 total, 147 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 23 nm away
- METAR: KTRI 031953Z 30007KT 10SM CLR 14/M07 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP157 T01441072

## 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 20210303012949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210303012949A), Mar 3, 2021: Beech 23, Surgoinsville, TN, Substantial damage. On 03/03/21, PIC of N2374J was landing at krvn airport. On short final around 50 ft off the ground the aircraft dropped suddenly due to gusty wind conditions…

## Other investigations on N2374J (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC67F0091](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0091), Jul 25, 1966: Beech M23 (N2374J), Baileys Crosrd, VA, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102716. 10.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12120232&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Airport manager statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 493 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12085411&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airport%20Manager%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12119397&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- Video file (item 4, MOV, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12085327&FileExtension=mov&FileName=Video-Rel.mov
- Photos (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12085562&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-Rel.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.

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