# NTSB FTW04LA221: Beech C23, N9714Q, Shreveport, LA, August 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 24, 2004, 16:29 local (21:29 UTC) - Place: Shreveport, LA - Coordinates: 32.54, -93.745002 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5400&lon=-93.7450&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Baton Rouge, Louisiana FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59976 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59976/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA221 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The single-engine airplane was forced to land following a loss of engine power while maneuvering. The 800-hour commercial pilot reported that he was flying at an indicated altitude of approximately 600 feet, while demonstrating the importance of short field techniques to his passengers. As he increased power to initiate a climb to 1,500 feet agl, "the engine lost power." An engine restart was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead into high vegetation. The pilot added that he moved the mixture to the idle cut-off position and attempted to slow the airplane as much as possible before the airplane impacted trees. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies in two previous flights that day in the same airplane. There was usable fuel found on board the airplane at the accident site. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined. ## Factual narrative On August 24, 2004, approximately 1629 central daylight time, a Beech C23, N9714Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power near Shreveport, Louisiana. Of the three occupants onboard, the commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, one passenger sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Shreveport Downtown Airport (DTN) near Shreveport, Louisiana, approximately 1615. During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board representative, the pilot reported that he was flying over Lucien Airfield (33LS), near Shreveport, Louisiana, at an indicated altitude of approximately 600 feet, while demonstrating the importance of short field techniques to his passengers. As he increased power to initiate a climb to 1,500 feet agl, "the engine lost power." An engine restart was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead. The pilot added that he moved the mixture to the idle cut-off position and attempted to slow the airplane as much as possible before the airplane impacted trees. The right wing initially impacted the trees, and the airplane came to rest inverted and was entangled within trees. The 800-hour pilot completed two flights prior to this flight on the day of the accident in the same airplane. A pre-flight inspection of the airplane was performed by the pilot prior to his most recent departure from DTN. He reported that everything appeared to be in order, including fuel and oil. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the empennage was detached from the fuselage approximately 3 feet aft of the rear passenger seating area. Both wings were bent and remained attached to the fuselage. There was evidence of fuel at the accident site. The fuel selector was observed in the "ON" position, and the magneto switch was observed in the "BOTH" position. One propeller blade was slightly bent aft and the other propeller blade was embedded into the ground. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined. At 1556, the automated surface observing system at the Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), located approximately 6 miles northwest of the accident site reported wind from 200 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky condition clear, temperature 93 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of Mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9714Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9714Q-2005-03-31), registration cancelled 2005-03-31, S/N M-1364, built 1971 (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: M1364 - Airframe hours: 3600 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kelly Kirny Dale - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2004, 30 hours before - Departed: DTN, Shreveport, LA - Destination: DTN, Shreveport, LA - Airport: SHV, Shreveport Regional ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 24; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 30, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 30 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: SHV, 5 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 20040824023509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040824023509A), Aug 24, 2004: Beech C23, Shreveport, LA, Destroyed. (-23) From slow flight, initiated climb, engine quit. Executed emergency landing 6. Crashed into trees. 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.