# NTSB MKC89FA165: Beech C23, N66295, Neligh, NE, July 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Neligh, NE
- Coordinates: 42.1301, -98.019042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1301&lon=-98.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 15, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA165

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED  AFTER INTIATING A STEEP CLIMBING  MANEUVER  FROM LOW ALTITUDE.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE PILOT'S LACK OF  TOTAL  FLYING  EXPERIENCE AND LACK OF SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR NELIGH, NE, AS IT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLT FROM SPENCER, IA, TO KEARNEY, NE. A WITNESS, WHO HEARD THE ACFT, SAID IT WAS PROCEEDING ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING AT LOW ALTITUDE BEFORE IT CRASHED. AN EYE WITNESS RPRTD THAT JUST BEFORE THE ACDNT, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP CLIMB (TO AN ESTIMATED 500 TO 600 FT),  THEN IT ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT & DISAPPEARED FROM HIS VIEW. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED IT HAD IMPACTED  IN  A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD RECEIVED HIS PRIVATE PLT CERTIFICATE ABOUT 2 WKS BEFORE THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66295](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66295-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N M-2187, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2187
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don Schaefer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1989, 475 hours before
- Departed: SPW, SPENCER, IA
- Destination: EAR, KEARNEY, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Observed at: OFK, 32 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 19890723024569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024569A), Jul 23, 1989: Beech C23, Neligh, NE, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed to nose up and stall just above trees and vertical impact. Cause of maneuver unknown. Newly licensed pilot

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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