# NTSB NYC85LA067: Beech A23A, N2234L, Waterville, ME, February 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Waterville, ME
- Location: 44.5453° N, 69.6614° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Waterville, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5453&lon=-69.6614&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA067

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE OWNER OF THE ACFT WAS A STUDENT PLT WITH ONLY 10.7 HRS TOTAL TIME, OF WHICH, 8.1 HRS WERE DUAL INSTRUCTION. HE WAS ON A FLT WITH A PRIVATE PLT OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, WHO REPORTEDLY WAS ABOARD AS A PASSENGER. THE OWNER/STUDENT STATED THAT THE ENG LOST POWER WHEN THE ACFT WAS ON FINAL APCH TO RWY 23. THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED ON SLOPING TERRAIN BEFORE REACHING THE RWY. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2234L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2234L-1989-01-26), registration cancelled 1989-01-26, S/N M1049 (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-1049
- Airframe hours: 1580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael D. Tracey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1984
- Airport: Waterville/Lafluer, runway 23, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11 total, 11 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: AUG

## 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 19850217003259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850217003259A), Feb 17, 1985: Beech A23A, Waterville, ME, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway after engine quit on final. Engine malfunction not reported.

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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