# NTSB MIA89LA125: Beech A23, N2326W, Lakeland, FL, April 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1989, 10:57 local (14:57 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Location: 28.0395° N, 81.9498° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeland, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0395&lon=-81.9498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA125

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION, WHILE THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO A TANK WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE FAULTY FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION FOR THE RIGHT TANK.

## 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
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT HE FLEW FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES, USING THE RIGHT FUEL TANK.   WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE FAILED TO REPOSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED.  ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE FUEL GAGES SHOWED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN BOTH TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2326W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2326W-1990-07-26), registration cancelled 1990-07-26, S/N M923 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M923
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A1 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd Clyde L
- Registered owner: Clyde L Floyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1988, 94 hours before
- Departed: X31, CRYSTAL RIVER, FL
- Destination: LAL
- Airport: LAL, Lakeland, runway 9, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 384 total, 8 in this make and model, 384 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 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 19890408006819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890408006819A), Apr 8, 1989: Beech A23A, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry on final approach. Crash landed short of runway. Blamed fuel gauge. Had flown over 2 hrs on the tank.

## Other investigations on N2326W (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 NYC72FNE05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72FNE05), Aug 6, 1971: Beech A23A (N2326W), Oxford, CT, 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.

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