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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 2, 1995 · Beech 23A · N2397Q

Spearfish, SD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1995
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Spearfish, SD
Aircraft
Beech 23A
Tail Number
N2397Q
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI95LA206

THE PILOT SAID HE HAD CLIMBED THE AIRPLANE TO ABOUT 75 TO 100 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO STALL AND HE PITCHED THE NOSE DOWN WHEN HE NOTICED THE STALL. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER PITCHING IT DOWN. A WITNESS SAID HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AT A LOW ALTITUDE AS IT FLEW OVER A HIGHWAY. AFTER CROSSING THE HIGHWAY, THE WITNESS SAID HE OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING DROP ABRUPTLY AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED RESULTING IN AN AERODYNAMIC STALL. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE REMEDIAL ACTION BY THE PILOT WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH THE STALL TOOK PLACE.

Full Narrative

On July 2, 1995, at 0937 mountain daylight time (mdt), a Beech B-23A, N2397Q, and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground and subsequent fire shortly after takeoff from runway 16 (3,200' X 100' dry sod) at the Black Hills/Clyde Ice Field, Spearfish, South Dakota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries and the three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight departed Spearfish, South Dakota, at 0935 mdt. The pilot stated the airplane rotated about 3/4's of the way down the runway at 75 to 85 mph indicated airspeed. He said the airplane climbed to about 75 or 100 feet above the ground and began to stall. The pilot said he lowered the pitch attitude in an attempt to gain airspeed. The airplane did not gain airspeed and descended into the ground. A passenger in the airplane stated the airplane appeared to come to a stop shortly after takeoff. He said the airplane "...leaned left and descended with left wing down... ." An eye witness said he "...saw [the] aircraft extremely low, but level as it crossed..." a major highway. He continued, "Then [the] left wing dropped abruptly... [and the] plane then entered [the] ditch, bounced two times, came to a stop." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI) representing the NTSB on-scene, the airplane's weight and balance were within the manufacturer's limits. He said the airplane performance data showed it had adequate runway length for takeoff. On the accident date, construction equipment was located near the intersection of runways 12 and 16. Runway 16's usable length was reduced to 3,200 feet due to the construction equipment. The pilot's NTSB Form 6120.1/2 showed the pilot had not had a bienniel flight review since April 15, 1991. His medical date was shown as July 7, 1989. The pilot said his logbook was destroyed in the fire. He said he was unable to provide a breakdown of his flight time. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical defects that would prevent it from performing to its certificated limitations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:37 MDT
Nearest AirportBlk Hills/Clyde Ice Field (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 23A
Tail NumberN2397Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-346-A · Reciprocating · 165
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 7 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data