# NTSB MIA89FA233: Beech C23, N6573R, Barranquitas, PR, August 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1989, 15:59 local (19:59 UTC)
- Place: Barranquitas, PR
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32308
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32308/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA233

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FLYING SPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND SUBSEQUENT IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE:  OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT WITH EXCESSIVE GROSS WEIGHT, HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT (FM THE NETHERLANDS) WAS CHECKED OUT IN THE ACFT BY AN INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI). AFTER A 40 MIN CHECK-OUT FLT, THE PLT & 3 PAX TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A RAVINE/VALLEY AREA (ORIENTED IN A NORTH-SOUTH DIRECTION ON MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN). IMPACT OCCURRED ON THE EASTERN SLOPE OF THE VALLEY AT AN ELEV OF APRX 1100 FT. DRG IMPACT, THE ENG WAS BURIED IN DIRT & THE ACFT BEGAN BURNING. AN EXAM OF THE PROP REVEALED CHORDWISE SCRATCHES ON BOTH BLADES AS WELL AS S-CURLING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE/MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. WITNESSES RPRTD SEEING A SINGLE ENG ACFT FLYING LOW IN THE RAVINES (VALLEYS). SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY HEARD THE ACFT CRASH, THEN THEY SAW SMOKE/FIRE FROM THE ACDNT SITE. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE LOADED ABOUT 48 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6573R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6573R-1990-02-09), registration cancelled 1990-02-09, S/N M1595 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1595
- Airframe hours: 1915
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Looss Aviation Center
- Registered owner: Matthias, Looss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 19, 1989, 66 hours before
- Departed: SIG, SAN JUAN, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 5 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJU, 37 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 19890825031709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890825031709A), Aug 25, 1989: Beech C23, Barrinquitas, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Observed flying low in ravines. Struck side of ravine,exploded and burned.

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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