# NTSB FTW83LA153: Beech 23, N2389Q, Athens, LA, March 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1983, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Athens, LA
- Coordinates: 32.649269, -93.020606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6493&lon=-93.0206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA153

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

JUST PRIOR TO THE FLT, A MECHANIC PERFORMED SOME MINOR UPKEEP FUNCTIONS ON THE ACFT & KNEW OF NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE OWNER WAS NOT A RATED PLT. THE MECHANIC ACCOMPANIED THE OWNER ON A LOCAL FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE OWNER'S 3RD ATTEMPT TO LAND. THE 1ST PASS WAS HIGH & THE OWNER INITIATED A GO-AROUND. AFTER THE 2ND APCH, THE ACFT LANDED HARD & BOUNCED, AND THE OWNER MADE A 2ND GO-AROUND. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT ON THE 3RD APCH, THE ACFT WAS LOW & SLOW. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE APRX 200 FT FROM THE RWY & CRASHED. AT SHREVEPORT, LA, THE WIND WAS FROM 170 DEG AT 8 KTS. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE OWNER OF THE ACFT HAD APPLIED FOR A COMBINATION STUDENT PLT LICENSE & CLASS III MEDICAL CERTIFICATE ON 4/5/78. HOWEVER, ON THE SAME DATE, HE FAILED TO PASS THE MEDICAL EXAM DUE TO A DIABETIC CONDITION. THEREFORE, HIS STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE WAS NEVER VALIDATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2389Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2389Q-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N M-470, 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-270
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Louie G. Gantt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 39 nm away

## Other investigations on N2389Q (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 FTW70D0203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW70D0203), Aug 31, 1969: Beech 23 (N2389Q), Norman, OK, substantial damage

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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