Beech C23 accident near Torrance, CA
On September 21, 1997, a Beech C23 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Torrance, CA. 4 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 21, 1997
- Place
- Torrance, CA
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 4 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.800°N, 118.349°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X08873
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1997, at 1034 hours Pacific daylight time, a Beech C23, N543JL, collided with a commercial office building after takeoff from Zamperini Field, Torrance, California. The airplane was destroyed. The certificated private pilot and three passengers received fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a personal flight by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating from runway 29R and was destined for the Catalina Airport, Avalon, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. Several witnesses were interviewed. One pilot/witness reported that he saw the airplane as he was driving to the airport. He observed the airplane depart at "an extremely low altitude, approximately 150 to 200 feet agl." He continued to watch the airplane and noted that he would be crossing under its flight path. The witness stated that "the elevator appeared to be in an extremely high position given the slow speed and altitude of the aircraft. The engine was not missing or making any irregular noises . . . . I immediately assumed he was grossly overweight. At this point I knew the pilot was in trouble." He looked over his shoulder to see where the airplane was headed and noticed a cloud of black smoke. He drove over and found that the airplane had collided with the office building. Another witness reported that he first noticed the accident airplane flying westbound just after takeoff. He stated, "the tail of the plane was low in relation to the front of the plane. It was at that time I did not think
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to attain and maintain adequate airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent collision with a building.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
- Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Aug 31, 1986
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- Beech C-99, Aug 24, 1984
- Sikorsky S-61N, Aug 6, 2008
Browse: California · Beech aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
