# NTSB MIA87FA189: Beech 23, N2387J, Miramar, FL, June 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1987, 15:28 local (19:28 UTC)
- Place: Miramar, FL
- Coordinates: 25.989597, -80.220733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9896&lon=-80.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,drain - corroded (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not performed (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

AFTER THE PLT LNDD, THE ACFT WAS SERVICED WITH 58.9 GAL OF FUEL. ITS FUEL CAPACITY WAS 60 GAL. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE PLT TOOK OFF, THE ACFT REMAINED ON THE RWY FOR ABOUT 2500' OF THE AVAILABLE 3000'. AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A RGT TURN & REACHED A RPRTD ALT OF ONLY ABOUT 100'. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ENG WAS NOT RUNNING AT FULL PWR & THAT DARK GRAY SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ITS EXHAUST. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED AS THE PLT WAS APPARENTLY ATTEMPTING TO TURN BACK. THE ACFT CRASHED ON THE ROOF OF AN UNOCCUPIED CHURCH SCHOOL. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WATER & SAND. WATER & SAND WERE ALSO FND IN THE FUEL FILTER & CARBURETOR FINGER STRAINER. BOTH FUEL CAPS WERE TESTED & FND TO LEAK WHEN WATER WAS APPLIED TO THE UPPER WING SURFACE. THE MANUFACTURER (BEECH) HAD ISSUED A CLASS I SVC BULLETIN (SB) FOR INSTALLATION OF IMPROVED FUEL TANK CAPS; HOWEVER, IMPROVED FUEL CAPS HAD NOT BEENINSTALLED. ALSO, CORROSION WAS EVIDENT IN THE WING SUMP & FUEL FILTER DRAINS, MAKING THE LATTER DIFFICULT TO OPERATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2387J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2387J-2014-09-19), registration cancelled 2014-09-19, S/N M-350, 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-350
- Airframe hours: 2352
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl R. O'Dell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL
- Destination: SAV, SAVANNAH, GA
- Airport: HWO, North Perry, runway 9R, 3,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 416 total, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWO, 1 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 19870620020769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870620020769A), Jun 20, 1987: Beech 23BEECH, Hollywood, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The engine lost power on takeoff due to water in fuel. Aircraft hit building. Had leaky fuel caps, drains corroded.

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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