# NTSB NYC02LA057: Beech BE-23, N18325, Point Pleasant, WV, February 8, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 2002, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Point Pleasant, WV
- Coordinates: 38.929721, -81.819442
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9297&lon=-81.8194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 54173
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54173/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54173
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA057

## Probable cause

An inadvertent collision with a deer while landing at dusk.  A factor in the accident was the dusk light condition.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The private pilot was landing in dusk light conditions, when just before touchdown the airplane struck a deer with its right wing.  The airplane sustained damage to the right wing leading edge, near the fuel tank.

## Factual narrative

On February 8, 2002, about 1800 eastern standard time, a Beech BE-23, N18325, was substantially damaged when it struck a deer while landing at the Mason County Airport Point Pleasant, West Virginia.  The certificated private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he was landing at dusk, on runway 25, when he felt the airplane hit something.  A post accident inspection of the airplane revealed the airplane struck a deer.  The pilot stated he did not see the deer on or near the runway while landing.

The airplane sustained damage to the right wing leading edge, near the right fuel tank.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N18325](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N18325), registered now, S/N M-2336, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech BE-23
- 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: M2336
- Airframe hours: 3120
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randall F. Hawkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 2001, 3 hours before
- Departed: 312, Ravenswood, WV
- Destination: Ravenswood, WV
- Airport: 3I2, Mason County, runway 25, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: PKB, 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 20020208002429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020208002429A), Feb 8, 2002: Beech C23, Point Pleasant, WV, No damage. (-23) Substantial damage to right wing after collision with deer on runway 25 during landing roll. Wing skin pushed back away from leading edge approximately 1…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 31, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54173. 421 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 421 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40386818&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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