# NTSB FTW96LA293: Beech A23-19, N5675S, Garfield, CO, July 7, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 7, 1996, 13:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Garfield, CO - Coordinates: 38.549686, -106.289825 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5497&lon=-106.2898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19898/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA293 ## Probable cause a reported power loss for reasons undetermined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - weather condition - high density altitude - aircraft performance,climb capability - lack of - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot crossed Salida Airport at 8,200 feet and approached Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312 feet) at 10,500 feet. The pilot said the engine 'popped twice' and power dropped 600-700 rpm from a setting of 2,450 rpm. The pilot attempted to land on U.S. Highway 50, but was forced to pull up and bank sharply due to an approaching vehicle. The airplane landed hard and collided with terrain. Postaccident functional testing of the engine resulted in full power being developed. The distance between Salida and Monarch Pass is 17.5 miles. Computed density altitude at Monarch Pass was 15,061 feet msl. According to the Beech Aircraft Company, at best rate of climb airspeed of 70 knots, the airplane would be capable of climbing 270 fpm and 50 fpm at 8,000 feet and 12,000 feet, respectively. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 1996, approximately 1345 mountain daylight time, a Beech A23-19, N5675S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Garfield, Colorado. The commercial pilot and private pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the ferry flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Pueblo, Colorado, on July 7, 1996, approximately 1300. According to the pilot, he departed Pueblo, Colorado, and climbed to 10,500 feet msl (mean sea level) and proceeded west. He said the ground was approximately 2,500 feet below. The engine was running smoothly and was "pegged" at 2,450 rpm. As he approached Monarch Pass (elevation 11,312 feet), the engine "popped twice" and engine power decreased 600 to 700 rpm. He applied carburetor heat, enriched the mixture, and lowered the nose to glide forward. The pilot attempted to land on U.S. Highway 50. As the airplane was flared, an approaching vehicle forced the pilot to pull up and bank sharply to the right. After passing over the vehicle, the airplane made a hard touch down on the highway. The nose and right main landing gears sheared off and the airplane collided with terrain. On September 18, 1996, the airplane and engine were examined at the facilities of Jensen Aircraft, Salida, Colorado. Substantial fuel was found in both tanks at the time of retrieval. The fuel screens, fuel lines, and carburetor were checked for contaminants. None were found. The carburetor bowl was full of fuel. No evidence of water was found in the fuel. The carburetor heat, throttle, and mixture controls worked properly and all of these controls contacted their stops. The air filter was clean and free of obstructions. All spark plugs fired normally when tested. There was continuity of the spark plug leads. Both magnetos fired normally and were properly timed and grounded. The engine was then functionally tested and operated normally. At 2,250 rpm (revolutions per minute), fuel pressure (without the electric fuel pump operating) was 2.5 psi (pounds per square inch). Maximum rpm obtained was 2,350 rpm. When the magnetos were tested at 1,800 rpm, the maximum drop was 75 rpm. The engine idled smoothly at 650 rpm. Cylinder compression check after the functional test was as follows: No. 1 - 76/80; No. 2 - 72/80; No. 3 - 70/80; No. 4 - 70/80. A Jensen Aircraft spokesman said that the pilot had told him he had flown over Salida Airport at 8,200 feet msl. The summit of Monarch Pass is 11,312 feet msl (a difference of 3,112 feet), and is 17.5 miles west of Salida. According to a Beech Aircraft Company spokesman, if the pilot maintained the best rate of climb airspeed of 70 knots, the airplane would be capable of climbing 270 fpm (feet per minute) at 8,000 feet. Thereafter, the climb curve drops abruptly and at 12,000 feet, the airplane would be capable of climbing only 50 fpm. These figures are based on the meteorological conditions that prevailed (as reported by the pilot), and a computed density altitude at Monarch Pass of 15,061 feet msl. The pilot told the Jensen Aircraft spokesman that he flew directly to the pass and did not circle in an attempt to gain altitude. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5675S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5675S-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N MB-112, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech A23-19 - Registry model: [Beech A23-19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-19) (registry code 1151212) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MB-112 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2C 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary & Susan Batalelr - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1996 - Departed: PUB, PUEBLO, CO - Destination: HVE, HANKSVILLE, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 25 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 19960707047209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960707047209A), Jul 7, 1996: Beech 23, Garfield, CO, Substantial damage. (-16) According to the pilot, the engine began losing power as the aircraft approached monarch pass (elevation 11,312 ft.) and was unable to remain aloft.… ## Other investigations on N5675S (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 MKC69D0343](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC69D0343), Feb 23, 1969: Beech A23-19 (N5675S), S Sioux City, NE, 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. --- 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.