# NTSB MKC89LA046: Beech A23A, N2364W, California, MO, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1988, 19:10 local (Dec 24, 1988, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: California, MO
- Coordinates: 38.630996, -92.559761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6310&lon=-92.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34741
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34741/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PILOT SAID WHILE ATTEMPTING A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF ON A DARK NIGHT FROM AN UNLIGHTED SOD STRIP, HE RECEIVED AN INTERMITTENT STALL WARNING HORN SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE ACFT STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND REBOUNDED INTO THE AIR. HE SAID HE HAD DIFFICULTIES WITH DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF AND RE-LAND. DURING THE ATTEMPT TO RE-LAND HE STRUCK A FENCE, TREES, THEN ROUGH ROCKY TERRAIN. THE ACFT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE WINGS, LDG GEAR, EMPENNAGE AND FUSELAGE. TOXICOLOGY TESTS PERFORMED ON THE PILOT WERE NEGATIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2364W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2364W-1995-02-17), registration cancelled 1995-02-17, S/N M961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23A
- Registry model: [Beech A23A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23a) (registry code 1151208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-961
- Airframe hours: 1515
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tierman, Jerry A.
- Registered owner: Tierman, Jerry A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: 80K
- Airport: 80K, Phillips Field, runway 35, 2,600 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JEF, 20 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 19881223056319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881223056319A), Dec 23, 1988: Beech A23A, California, MO, Substantial damage. Tried to depart an unlighted strip downwind. Bounced and drifted off runway, aborted. Hit fence trees and rocks.

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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