# NTSB WPR23LA104: Beech F35, N123JV, Gladewater, TX, February 5, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 5, 2023, 13:16 local (19:16 UTC)
- Place: Gladewater, TX · Pond
- Coordinates: 32.528833, -94.97175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5288&lon=-94.9718&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106692/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106692
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA104

## Probable cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md)
- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Beech F35, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR go-around: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Beech F35, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=1151514), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md)

## Analysis

On the return leg of a cross-country flight, while on final approach at the planned destination, the pilot stated that he experienced moderate turbulence while attempting to land. The airplane floated about halfway down the runway, so he executed a go-around. The pilot reported that the engine abruptly lost power during the go-around and the airplane only climbed about 100 ft above ground level. He maneuvered to avoid obstacles at the end of the runway and then the engine lost total power. He initiated a forced landing, during which the airplane’s right wing struck a tree. The airplane then impacted a pond and came to rest submerged in the water, with only the empennage and top of the fuselage visible above the waterline. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, the reason for the total loss of engine power could not be determined.

## Factual narrative

On February 5, 2023, about 1316 central standard time, a Beech F-35 airplane, N123JV, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Gladewater, Texas. The pilot and three passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that on the return leg of a cross-country flight, while landing at the planned destination, he switched to the left fuel tank on downwind and noticed that the windsock indicated a strong westerly crosswind. He continued in the traffic pattern and turned left base and then final. While on final approach, the pilot stated that he experienced moderate turbulence and, while attempting to land, the airplane floated about halfway down the runway, so he aborted the landing and executed a go-around. The engine abruptly lost power during the go-around and the airplane only climbed about 100 ft above ground level. He maneuvered to avoid obstacles at the end of the runway, then the engine lost total power, and he initiated a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane’s right wing struck a tree and was substantially damaged. The airplane then impacted a pond and came to rest submerged in the water, with only the empennage and top of the fuselage visible above the waterline. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane was equipped with a pressure type carburetor. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, “the danger of fuel vaporization icing is practically eliminated,” in this type of carburetor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N123JV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N123JV), registered now, S/N D-4024, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F35
- Registry model: [Beech F35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f35) (registry code 1151514) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D-4024
- Year built: 1955
- Airframe hours: 6411.2
- Engines: CONT MOTOR E225 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2022
- Departed: 1M4, Haleyville, AL
- Destination: 07F, Gladewater, TX
- Airport: 07F, Gladewater Municipal Airport, runway 14, 3,299 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2022; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 257 total, 117 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observed at: KJXI, 10 nm away
- METAR: KJXI 051915Z AUTO 23006KT 10SM CLR 18/09 A3016 RMK AO2 T01770091

## 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 20230205021399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230205021399A), Feb 5, 2023: Beech F35, Gladewater, TX, Substantial damage. On 02/05/2023, aircraft being operated as a private flight departed from posey field airport (1M4), haleyville, Alabama and flew direct to Gladewater Municipal…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 5, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106692. 5.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16495548&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20FInal_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB 6120 attachment (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 71 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16495657&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Attachment-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 116 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16495748&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA104%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� pilot (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17144624&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA104%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20Pilot-Rel.pdf
- Airframe and engine examination summary report (item 5, PDF, 7 pages, 748 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16495944&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA104%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20%20Report%20%202-Rel.pdf
- Logbook excerpt (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16496064&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Excerpt%20Final%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- FAA pilot's handbook of aeronautical knowledge excerpt (item 7, PDF, 1 page, 252 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17144004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=PHAK%20Chapter%207%20Excerpt-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.

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