# NTSB NYC91LA137: Beech C-23, N9723Q, Chesapeake, OH, July 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1991, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, OH
- Coordinates: 38.429393, -82.449516 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4294&lon=-82.4495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA137
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA137

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED THAT WOULD PRECLUDE A STALL.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OPENED DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - door,interior crew - open (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - initiated, dual student
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, dual student (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE MAIN CABIN DOOR OPENED AND THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED FOR LANDING.  THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE AIRSPEED WAS FAST CONSIDERING THE FLAP SETTING AND BACK PRESSURE HE HAD APPLIED.  HE STATED THAT IN THE LANDING FLARE, WHEN HE APPLIED ADDITIONAL BACK PRESSURE, THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE RUNWAY, NOSEWHEEL AND PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9723Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9723Q-1991-11-08), registration cancelled 1991-11-08, S/N M1305 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-23
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-1305
- Airframe hours: 1605
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A2G 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: W. Edward & Nancy J. Langdon
- Registered owner: W. Edward & Nancy J. Langdon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1990, 50 hours before
- Airport: HTW, Lawrence County, runway 26, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 45 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910716027569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910716027569A), Jul 16, 1991: Beech C23, Chesapeake/Hunt, WV, Substantial damage. Door came open on takeoff. Circled to land. Stalled onto runway trying to check sink rate. CFI did not aid PIC.

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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