# NTSB ERA26LA196: Beech C23, N18516, Bangor, ME, May 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report - Date: May 1, 2026, 16:04 local (20:04 UTC) - Place: Bangor, ME - Coordinates: 44.807444, -68.828139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8074&lon=-68.8281&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Investigation ongoing - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 202926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA196 - NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202926/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA196 ## Preliminary report On May 01, 2026, at 1604 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft C23 airplane, N18516, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bangor, Maine. The private pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to provide instruction to the private pilot in preparation for his commercial certificate. The CFI reported that the private pilot completed the preflight inspection with no discrepancies noted. After engine start, there was some momentary engine roughness; however, it did not last long, and the pilots continued with the lesson. Taxi, pretakeoff checks and departure from runway 33 at Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine, were normal. The CFI reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, the pilot’s door “popped open.” The CFI contacted air traffic control (ATC) and advised that they would need to return to land to secure the door. After returning to the airport and securing the door, they taxied back to the runway for departure. The CFI continued that, after receiving a takeoff clearance, the pilot taxied into position, applied full power, and they departed from runway 33. About 700-800 ft above mean sea level, they made a right turn to a heading of 020° and leveled the wings. The airplane subsequently began to vibrate and run rough. They elected to return to BGR. During the return, the CFI reported that the engine roughness intensified, followed by a total loss of engine power. The CFI assumed control of the airplane, declared an emergency to ATC, and maneuvered toward the runway. While overflying the runway, the CFI realized they were too high and added flaps and slipped the airplane in an effort to lose altitude; however, the airplane floated down the runway. After touchdown, insufficient runway remained to stop. The airplane overran the runway, entered the safety area, and impacted an embankment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination. ## 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) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380); cases with it: [Beech C23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/sequence.md?model=1151242), [All aircraft, 400 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380/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) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18516](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18516), registered now, S/N M-2344, built 1981 (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-2344 - Year built: 1981 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Maine Instrument Flight - Registered owner: Maine Instrument Flight - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BGR, Bangor, ME - Airport: BGR, Bangor Intl, runway 15/33, 11,440 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 7 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: KBGR, 1 nm away - METAR: METAR KBGR 011953Z 31007G19KT 10SM BKN060 14/01 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP060 T01440011= ## 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 20260501005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260501005429A), May 1, 2026: Beech C23, Bangor, ME, Substantial damage. The subject aircraft, a [privacy data omitted], departed runway 33 for a part 141 training flight with a certified flight instructor and a private pilot… 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.