# NTSB NYC89FA121: Beech B19, N2231L, Augusta, ME, April 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1989, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Augusta, ME
- Location: 44.3207° N, 69.7973° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AUGUSTA STATE (AUG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3207&lon=-69.7973&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA121

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE DURING THE APPROACH. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - other psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFF, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A DIRT BLUFF, 197 FT SHORT OF RUNWAY 8 AND 22 FT BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES WHO OBSERVED THE CRASH SAID THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DEVIATE OR ROCK WINGS PRIOR TO IMPACT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH EITHER THE ENGINE OR AIRFRAME. THE PROPELLER HAD DEEP LEADING EDGE MARKS AND CHORD WISE STRIATIONS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF SEAT BELT USAGE BY THE PILOT, WHO WAS THROWN CLEAR OF THE WRECKAGE. THE PILOT WAS AN INVESTMENT BANKER, WHO HAD JUST BEEN PLACED ON LEAVE WITH PAY BY HIS EMPLOYER, WHILE HIS FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WERE BEING CHECKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2231L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2231L-1992-05-22), registration cancelled 1992-05-22, S/N MB820 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH B19
- Registry model: [Beech B19](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b19) (registry code 1151215) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MB-820
- Airframe hours: 3477
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maine Instrument Flight School
- Registered owner: Maine Instrument Flight School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1989, 5 hours before
- Airport: AUG, Augusta State, runway 8, 2,703 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 164 total, 138 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUG, 1 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 19890419009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890419009349A), Apr 19, 1989: Beech B19, Augusta, ME, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a bluff at approach end of runway.

## Other investigations on N2231L (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC77DFA38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC77DFA38), Aug 4, 1977: Beech B19 (N2231L), Oneonta, NY, substantial damage

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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