# NTSB MKC89LA054: Beech C-23, N24658, Greenfield, IA, January 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1989, 13:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Greenfield, IA
- Coordinates: 41.300457, -94.450126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3005&lon=-94.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34748
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34748/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL WAS ON BOARD IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS ABOUT TEN MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION ARPT, HAD IT IN SIGHT, THEN CLOSED HIS IFR FLIGHT PLAN. ABOUT 3 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE COUGHED, THEN STARTED TO QUIT. A SWITCH OF FUEL TANKS WAS MADE AND THE ENGINE RAN ABOUT 20 TO 30 SECONDS MORE BEFORE QUITTING COMPLETELY. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED WHICH CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24658](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24658-1992-07-06), registration cancelled 1992-07-06, S/N M1454 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1454
- Airframe hours: 893
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Redfern, Richard E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1989, 32 hours before
- Departed: FWA, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Destination: GFZ, GREENFIELD, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GFZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,353 total, 180 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 40 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 19890117000729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890117000729A), Jan 17, 1989: Beech C23, Greenfield, IA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on initial approach to destination after cancelling IFR. Crash landed. Failed to have fuel reserve .

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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