Beech C23 accident near Midland, VA
On December 3, 2023, a Beech C23 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Midland, VA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- December 3, 2023
- Place
- Midland, VA
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 38.581°N, 77.698°W
- NTSB ID
- 20231203193460
Official records · ERA24FA053
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn December 3, 2023, about 1548 eastern standard time, a Beech C23 airplane, N76SB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Midland, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. ADS-B track data revealed that the pilot departed from runway 15 at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (HWY), Midland, Virginia, about 1308 and conducted three RNAV instrument approaches to Stafford Regional Airport (RMN) in Stafford, Virginia, and one RNAV instrument approach to Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR) in Culpeper, Virginia, before returning to attempt an approach and landing at HWY. According to information obtained from air traffic control, the pilot provided several PIREPs to Potomac (PCT) Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) regarding cloud heights. The flight was cleared for the RNAV runway 33 approach to HWY with an intended full-stop landing. The pilot advised PCT TRACON that he intended to cancel his IFR clearance in the air once he descended below the clouds. ADS-B data revealed that the airplane descended toward runway 33, and track data was lost about 4,350 ft short of runway 33 and right of the runway centerline. The pilot made no distress calls over the radio during the approach. A witness who was hunting approximately 1 mile from the accident site reported hearing the accident. The witness reported that he did not hear any engine noises just before hearing the airplane impact the terrain. The accident was partially captured on a local surveillance cam
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to descend below the minimum decision altitude of the instrument approach without having the appropriate runway visual references distinctively identified and with the visibility and ceiling below the minimum that was prescribed for the approach, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
- Beech 200, Oct 24, 2004
- Piper PA-31-310, Nov 14, 1982
Browse: Virginia · 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.
