- Date
- March 28, 1999, 10:06 local (15:06 UTC)
- Place
- Homestead, FL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N8883MBeech A23
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report April 20, 2001
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19990328032479A
- Case key
- 45983
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilots improper decision not to land straight ahead after sustaining a reported loss of engine power on initial take off climb with sufficient runway remaining, and improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. The reported loss of engine power was not determined.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot experienced a reported loss of engine power at 60 feet and elected not to land straight ahead. The pilot maneuvered the airplane to the left. The right main landing gear touched down, the airplane bounced to the left striking the left wing tip and landing gear before the airplane skidded to a stop. The reported loss of engine power could not be determined.
Factual narrative
On March 28, 1999, about 1006 eastern standard time, a Beech A23, N8883M, registered to Mathis Paint and Body, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed on initial climbout from Homestead General Aviation Airport, Homestead, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated he departed from runway 09. "At approximately 60 feet above the field the engine loss power and vibrated extremely....I then made a poor judgement call and turned the plane into a 45 degree angle. After the rollout I saw a clearing and headed for it." The right main landing gear touched down, the airplane bounced to the left striking the wing tip and landing left landing gear, before the airplane skidded to a stop.
The FAA stated, "the overall condition of the engine appeared to be poor. Many spark plugs were badly rusted, hoses, wiring, and accessories appeared to be old and in need of inspection." The airplane was examined by an airframe and powerplant mechanic. The propeller was pulled through and compression was present. The crankshaft and propeller moved freely.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N8883M
- Reported as
- Beech A23
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- M632
- Airframe hours
- 1,798
- Engine
- Continental IO-340A, 165 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Mathis Paint And Body
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 14, 1998 · 105 hours before
- Departed
- X51
- Airport
- X-51 · Homestead General
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 719 total · 310 in this make and model · 619 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 90° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- HST, 8 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.
Other investigations on N8883M · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.