# NTSB NYC91FA199: Beech C23, N9375S, Pleasantville, NJ, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 23:47 local (Aug 4, 1991, 03:47 UTC)
- Place: Pleasantville, NJ
- Location: 39.3885° N, 74.5094° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pleasantville, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3885&lon=-74.5094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA199

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO A FAILED CRANKSHAFT, WHILE OPERATING OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE, THE NIGHT CONDITIONS, THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO DETECT THE CRACKS USING MAGNAFLUX INSPECTIONS, THE LACK OF ADEQUATE PROCEDURES/DIRECTIONS ON DETECTION OF CRACKS, AND THE LACK OF QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATION FOR OPERATORS CONDUCTING NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - insufficient standards/requirements,manufacturer, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
  - single engine aircraft
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole (cause)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE OPERATING OVER A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT NIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE, AND CRASHED AND BURNED IN A STREET.  RECORDS INDICATE THE ENGINE HAD A PROP STRIKE AT 1828 HRS, WAS OVERHAULED AT 2164 HRS, AND OVERHAULED AGAIN AT 3407 HRS.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT 3486 HRS.  NO RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST OVERHAUL, HOWEVER WHEN EXAMINED AT THE 2ND OVERHAUL THE CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE UNDERSIZED BY .003 INCH.. THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED AT THE REAR OF THE NUMBER 3 CRANKPIN.  METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION FOUND THE FRACTURE ORIGINATED SUBSURFACE IN AN AREA OF STRESS. NITRIDING RESIDUE WAS FOUND IN CRACKS WHICH HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED BY NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING.  THE FAA DOES NOT REQUIRE THE CERTIFICATION OF NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OPERATORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9375S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9375S-1992-02-12), registration cancelled 1992-02-12, S/N M1673 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M1673
- Airframe hours: 3486
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Groton Navy Flying Club
- Registered owner: Groton Navy Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1991, 75 hours before
- Departed: AIY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Destination: FRG, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 278 total, 7 in this make and model, 228 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY, 4 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 19910803031319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803031319A), Aug 3, 1991: Beech C23, Pleasantville, NJ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Engine failed on cruise climb. Hit pole on city street. Crankshaft broke. Had prior prop strike. Inadequate repair.

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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