# NTSB FTW98LA128: Beech 23, N2382L, Colorado Sprngs, CO, February 11, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 11, 1998, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Colorado Sprngs, CO - Coordinates: 38.890888, -104.6996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8909&lon=-104.6996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20537 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20537/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent porpoise during landing roll. A factor was the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 17R. Winds were reported from 180 degrees at 6 knots. While performing his second landing, he initiated a side slip to compensate for a slight right crosswind. Upon landing, the aircraft porpoised, then exited the left side of the runway, impacting a ditch. The pilot reported he believed the nose wheel had turned to the left due to the left rudder input, causing the aircraft to depart to the left side of the runway. However, according to the Raytheon Aircraft Company, the aircraft manufacturer, the Beech 23 was designed without nose wheel steering. The wheel casters and is moved only by utilization of the breaks and remains in a neutral position during flight, continually aligned with the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On February 11, 1998, at 1245 mountain standard time, a Beech 23, N2382L, was substantially damaged following loss of control during landing roll and subsequent impact with terrain at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado. The student pilot, the sole occupant onboard, was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight which had originated approximately 35 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 17R. Winds were reported from 180 degrees at 6 knots. While performing his second landing, he initiated a side slip to compensate for a slight right crosswind. Upon landing, the aircraft porpoised, then "immediately veered sharply to the left." The aircraft exited runway 17R, impacting a ditch. The aircraft then slid approximately 60 feet to a stop. The pilot reported in a telephone interview following the accident that he believed the nose wheel had turned to the left due to the left rudder input, causing the aircraft to depart to the left when the wheel made contact with the runway. According to a representative of the aircraft manufacturer, Raytheon Aircraft Company, the Beech 23 was designed without a pushrod to rotate the nose wheel. The wheel casters, and is moved only by utilization of the breaks. The nose wheel remains in a neutral position during flight and is continually aligned with the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear was separated from the aircraft, the engine mount was bent, the fire wall was damaged, and the left wing was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2382L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2382L), registered now, S/N M-222, 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-222 - Airframe hours: 4014 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth L. Chiaro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1997, 6 hours before - Departed: COS - Airport: COS, Colorado Springs Muni, runway 17R, 13,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 25 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 1 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: COS ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 19980211001149I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980211001149I), Feb 11, 1998: Beech 23BEECH, Colorado Spring, CO, Minor damage. Narrative: upon touchdown of nose wheel, aircraft veered left. The aircraft came to rest off runway approximately 10 (ten) yards. Nose gear came off as a… ## Other investigations on N2382L (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 UNK64X1003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1003), Mar 21, 1964: Beechcraft 23 (N2382L), Santa Monica, CA, 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.