# NTSB MIA88FA144: Beech A-23, N8856M, Fort Myers, FL, April 13, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1988, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Coordinates: 26.559574, -81.870155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.5596&lon=-81.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE ON FINAL APPROACH AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A WOODED AREA AND CRASHED. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD FLOWN ABOUT 2.0 HOURS ON THE RIGHT TANK AND DID NOT SWITCH TO THE LEFT TANK PRIOR TO LANDING. ANOTHER PILOT HAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT ABOUT .4 HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT, SINCE THE LAST REFUELING, ALSO USING THE RIGHT TANK.  THE HOBBS METER RECORDED 3 HRS FOR THE ACC FLT.  THE FUEL TANK HELD 30 GALS OF FUEL AND THE ACFT USES APRX 9 GPH IN NORMAL FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8856M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8856M-2014-11-20), registration cancelled 2014-11-20, S/N M-593, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A-23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-593
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence J. Jones
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1987
- Departed: 28J, PALATKA, FL
- Destination: FMY, FORT MYERS, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 40 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 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 19880413047259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880413047259A), Apr 13, 1988: Beech A23, Ft Myers, FL, Substantial damage. Ran a fuel tank dry on final approach. No attempt to restart on other tank with fuel. Crashed into trees.

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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