# NTSB WPR20CA205: Beech 23, N8868M, Sedona, AZ, July 5, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 5, 2020, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sedona, AZ - Coordinates: 34.863887, -111.791946 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8639&lon=-111.7919&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101531 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101531/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101531 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA205 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain a climb after an attempted takeoff in high density altitude conditions, which resulted in a forced landing on a road and subsequent landing gear collapse. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech A23, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Beech A23, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1151204), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from an airport where the density altitude was 7,700 feet. While departing with a slight left quartering, the airplane lifted off from the runway near the mid field point and began slowly climbing. Crossing the end of the runway, the airplane yawed and then began to lose altitude. After the airplane exited the airport boundary, which was on a plateau, it continued to lose altitude and descended down the sloped terrain. Unable to gain airspeed or maintain altitude, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a road. During the landing, the right main and nose landing gear collapsed. The right wing and lower fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8868M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8868M), registered now, S/N M-606, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 23 (A23) - Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: M-606 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 2799.98 - Engines: Continental IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 28, 2019, 17 hours before - Departed: SEZ, Sedona, AZ - Destination: CHD, Chandler, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 03, 5,132 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 30, 2020; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 9,800 total, 30 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSEZ ## 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 20200705005189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200705005189A), Jul 5, 2020: Beech A23, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. On July 5, 2020, at 1124 MST, a 1964 Beech A23, N8868M, [privacy data omitted], failed to gain altitude during takeoff climbout while conducting a personal… ## Other investigations on N8868M (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 MKC67D0086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67D0086), Jun 28, 1966: Beech 23 (N8868M), Mankato, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101531. 968 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 693 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9960208&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20205_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of memorandum (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9961000&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RECORD%20OF%20MEMORANDUM%20205-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 137 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9960277&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20205-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.