# NTSB NYC93LA047: Beech C-24R, N1848A, Meriden, CT, December 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1992, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Meriden, CT
- Location: 41.5087° N, 72.8295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MERIDEN MARKHAM MUNI (MMK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5087&lon=-72.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37282
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37282/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA047

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRPLANE PREFLIGHT, RESULTING IN NO AIRSPEED INDICATION DURING TAKEOFF, AND THE SUBSEQUENT ABORT WITH INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY AVAILABLE TO STOP PRIOR TO A COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained
  - abort - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT OBSERVED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS NOT OPERATING.  HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRPLANE ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY, AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.  THE PILOT SAID, 'AFTER THE ACCIDENT I REALIZE[D] THE STREAMER WAS RIPPED OFF BY THE WIND.  I MUST NOT HAVE LOOKED IN THE HOLE [DURING PREFLIGHT].' HE FOUND THE PITOT TUBE BLOCKED WITH PART OF THE PITOT COVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1848A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1848A-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N M-2341, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C-24R
- Registry model: [Beech C23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c23) (registry code 1151242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M-2341
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bonnie L. Scherf
- Registered owner: Bonnie L. Scherf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 85 hours before
- Departed: MMK
- Destination: 17N, CROSS KEYS, NJ
- Airport: MMK, Meriden Markham Municipal, runway 36, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 183 in this make and model, 176 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19921219050909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921219050909A), Dec 19, 1992: Beech C24R, Meriden, CT, Substantial damage. No airspeed on takeoff roll. Aborted late. Ran off end runway into ditch. Failed to remove pitot cover.

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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