# NTSB NYC95LA191: Beech 23, N4798J, Spafford, NY, August 14, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1995, 19:36 local (23:36 UTC)
- Place: Spafford, NY
- Coordinates: 42.629577, -76.180801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6296&lon=-76.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39028
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39028/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA191

## Probable cause

the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in a forced landing over unsuitable terrain and the subsequent collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

Ten minutes into the flight, at an altitude of 2500 feet, the engine began to lose power.  The pilot's attempt to regain power was unsuccessful.  The engine continued to lose power and the pilot made a forced landing in a field where the aircraft struck trees and brush.  The examination of the engine did not disclose evidence of mechanical malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On August 14, 1995, at 1936, eastern daylight time, a Beech 23, N4798J, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing near Spafford, New York.  The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The local, personal flight departed the Skaneateles Aero Drome, Skaneateles, New York.  It was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated:

...Proceeded south to approximately 2500 feet and      approximately 10 minutes after departure...the engine      developed a loss of power.  Mixture, throttle, boost      pump were checked.  I then turned east toward open      fields.  The airplane continued to lose power and      altitude....I then set up for best glide speed and      landed the airplane in an open field impacting brush      and trees at the edge of the field....

Postaccident examination by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the airframe or engine.  Additionally, the FAA Inspector stated that vapor lock was suspect;  however, could not be confirmed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4798J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4798J-1997-03-31), registration cancelled 1997-03-31, S/N MA227 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA227
- Airframe hours: 4126
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nick Coblio
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1995, 132 hours before
- Departed: 6B9, SKANEATLES, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 530 total, 130 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19950814024029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950814024029A), Aug 14, 1995: Beech A2324, Safford, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit 10MINS. Into flight struck trees landing. Cause power loss could not be determined.

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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