# NTSB FTW91LA151: Beech A23-24, N3673Q, Tomball, TX, August 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1991, 14:22 local (19:22 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.090322, -95.610939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0903&lon=-95.6109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA151

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

A CFI AND HIS RATED STUDENT WERE DEPARTING THEIR HOME BASE ON A LOCAL INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND AIRCRAFT FAMILIARIZATION FLIGHT. AFTER LEVELING AT 1500 FEET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, LOST POWER. THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND PERFORMED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR AN ENGINE RESTART, WHILE SEARCHING FOR A SUITABLE FIELD FOR A FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE FLEW UNDER POWER LINES, TOUCHED DOWN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, WENT THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, AND CAME TO REST IN AN OPEN PASTURE. ON SITE INVESTIGATION AND A LIMITED TEARDOWN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE CONFIRMED THAT THE LOSS OF POWER WAS NOT DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE. THE NATURE OR CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED OR DUPLICATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3673Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3673Q-1994-08-10), registration cancelled 1994-08-10, S/N MA264 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech A23-24
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA-264
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A2B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Horizon Aviation
- Registered owner: John A. Rolf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 10, 1991, 10 hours before
- Departed: DWH, TOMBALL, TX
- Destination: CXO, CONROE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,012 total, 929 as pilot in command, 232 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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