# NTSB MKC88LA095: Beech 23, N2378L, Independence, MO, May 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1988, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Independence, MO
- Coordinates: 39.1702, -94.310043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1702&lon=-94.3100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34573
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34573/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PIC PLANNED A LOCAL FLT TO PRACTICE TOUCH AND GO LNDGS. ON AN EARLIER FLT THE PIC HAD SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE FULLEST TANK. AS THE SUBSEQUENT FLT PROGRESSED, THE PIC AGAIN SELECTED WHAT HE CONSIDERED TO BE THE FULLEST TANK AS PART OF THE PRE-LNDG CHKLIST. AS THE ACFT BEGAN THE PWRD CLIMB PORTION OF THE TOUCH AND GO LNDG, THE ENG FALTERED AND QUIT. INSUFFICIENT ALT WAS AVAILABLE TO EXECUTE A RETURN TO THE RWY, SO THE PIC STATED HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND MADE A FORCED LNDG INTO A GROVE OF TREES. THE PIC REALIZED LATER THAT HE HAD SWITCHED TO THE FUEL TANK WHICH CONTAINED LITTLE OR NO FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2378L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2378L-1997-12-13), registration cancelled 1997-12-13, S/N M218 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech 23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-23) (registry code 1151202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M 218
- Airframe hours: 1152
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Dickens
- Registered owner: Charles E. Dickens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: INDEPENDENCE, MO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 236 total, 236 in this make and model, 199 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Other investigations on N2378L (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 UNK64X1314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1314), Apr 14, 1964: Beechcraft 23 (N2378L), Imperial, CA, 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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