Beech C23 accident near Winter Haven, FL
On February 25, 2010, a Beech C23 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 25, 2010
- Place
- Winter Haven, FL
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 28.065°N, 81.763°W
- NTSB ID
- 20100225X05540
Official records · ERA10FA150
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 25, 2010, about 0927 eastern standard time, a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation C23, N180ED, registered to Skyway Leasing, Inc., and operated by Tailwheels ETC, Inc., had a loss of engine power during the takeoff climb and impacted the ground approximately .6 statute mile west-northwest from the center of Winter Haven’s Gilbert Airport (GIF), Winter Haven, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight from GIF to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot and one passenger were killed. The flight originated from GIF about 0925. The operator reported that the pilot was allowed to fly the airplane and only had to reimburse them for the fuel cost. Numerous witnesses at the operator’s facility saw both occupants before takeoff. One witness reported the passenger came into the building and asked to borrow a fuel sample device. Another witness saw the passenger check the right wing fuel tank, while a witness who is a student pilot heard an engine accelerate consistent with an engine run-up, but he walked inside the building and did not pay attention. The airplane was observed to taxi to the approach end of runway 29, and was noted to be airborne before the first intersection. A pilot-rated witness who was outside near the departure end of runway 29 reported that he first saw the airplane when it was over the departure end of runway 29. At that time
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper placement of the fuel selector valve during takeoff, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to detect the lack of proper markings on the fuel selector stop and fuel selector valve shroud at the last 100-Hour inspection.
More accidents in FL
- Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
- Beech B90, Jan 5, 1994
- Beech B-90, Sep 3, 1999
- Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47, Jun 7, 2012
Browse: Florida · 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.
