# NTSB FTW96LA245: Beech 23, N2398L, Weiner, AR, June 11, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1996, 18:25 local (23:25 UTC)
- Place: Weiner, AR
- Coordinates: 35.609561, -90.899116 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6096&lon=-90.8991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19860
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19860/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA245

## Probable cause

an improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 19 and flared the airplane prematurely. Subsequently, a hard landing occurred, and the right main landing gear broke off and impacted the aft fuselage.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 1996, at 1825 central daylight time, a Beech BE-23, N2398L, registered to and operated by a private owner sustained substantial damage during a hard landing near Weiner, Arkansas.  The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight.  A flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight that originated near Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The pilot told an FAA inspector that he was conducting a landing to runway 19 at the Sally Wofford Airport in Weiner, Arkansas, and flared the airplane prematurely resulting in a hard landing.  As a result of the hard landing, the right main landing gear broke off and impacted the aft fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2398L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2398L-2012-08-14), registration cancelled 2012-08-14, S/N M-243, 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-243
- Airframe hours: 2525
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William G Swink
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1996, 50 hours before
- Departed: JBR, JONESBORO, AR
- Destination: 8M2
- Airport: 8M2, Sally Wofford, runway 19, 2,400 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JBR, 19 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 19960611013239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960611013239A), Jun 11, 1996: Beech 23BEECH, Werner, AR, Substantial damage. During landing, left main gear broke, nose wheel collapsed, prop hit the runway. (-23) the aircraft was on approach to runway 19 at Sally Wofford Airport in…

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.