# NTSB ERA26LA128: Beech C23, N1988L, Knoxville, TN, February 12, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 12, 2026, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Knoxville, TN · Knoxville Downtown Island Airport - Coordinates: 35.964032, -83.873891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9640&lon=-83.8739&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2026 - 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): 202502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech C23, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1151242), [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 C23, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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 pilot reported that she was conducting traffic pattern work following the completion of the airplane’s annual inspection. During landing, as the nose wheel touched down, the airplane veered abruptly to the left. She attempted to maintain directional control with the rudder pedals, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1988L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1988L), registered now, S/N M-1842 (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-1842 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 3154.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Portal Planes LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2026, 0.4 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DKX, Knoxville Downtown Island, runway 08, 3,499 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 17, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 375.6 total, 371.6 in this make and model, 228.1 as pilot in command, 0.4 in the last 90 days, 0.4 in the last 30 days, 0.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: DKX - METAR: METAR KDKX 121735Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 09/M04 A3026 ## 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 20260212007249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260212007249A), Feb 12, 2026: Beech C23, Knoxville, TN, Substantial damage. On 02/12/2026 at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport (dkx) pilot was performing first flight following the completion of aircraft annual inspection. Pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202502. 239 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 238 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20394503&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA128_6120_pilot_signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 110 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20401433&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA25LA128%20MOR%20PILOT%20STATEMENT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 904 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20394911&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA128_Photo%20Array%201-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement nose landing gear inspection (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20401670&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA128_FAA_NLG_EXAM_OVERSIGHT%202_Redacted-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. --- 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.