# NTSB NYC88LA151: Beech 23, N6042X, Meriden, CT, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 14:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Meriden, CT
- Location: 41.5368° N, 72.7945° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Meriden, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5368&lon=-72.7945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36156
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36156/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA151

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, go-around (vfr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, dual student (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - erratic (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE BEECH 23 LOST POWER DURING A GO-AROUND. DURING AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING, THE ACFT STRUCK A HOUSE. THE PRIVATE PILOT DIED THE FOLLOWING DAY OF INJURIES AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LARGE FUEL SPILL AND ONLY RESIDUAL FUEL WAS FOUND. THE LEFT FUEL GAGE TRANSMITTER INDICATED A HIGHER QUANTITY OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK ON LOW READINGS. THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN 6.2 HOURS ACCORDING TO THE HOBBS METER SINCE ITS LAST REFUELING. THE AIRCRAFT FUEL TANKS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TABS TO ASSIST IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT IN THE TYPE OF AIRCRAFT FOR THE PRIVATE PILOT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE PRIVATE PILOT CONDUCTED THE PRE-FLIGHT AND THEN THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CAME TO THE AIRCRAFT WHICH DEPARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6042X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6042X-1990-08-29), registration cancelled 1990-08-29, S/N M2165 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2165
- Airframe hours: 2103
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-AJ4 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Meriden Airways
- Registered owner: Peter Mccluskey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1988, 12 hours before
- Airport: MMK, Meriden Markham Muni., runway 36, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 601 total, 26 in this make and model, 425 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19880529024099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529024099A), May 29, 1988: Beech C23, Meriden, CT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel during a go around on a dual student flight. Struck a house on forced landing. Fuel gauge inaccurate

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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