Beechcraft C23 N3724Z

Summary

On 8 November 1997 at about 01:30 local time, a Beechcraft C23 registered N3724Z, operated by Air Accord, was involved in an accident near Corona, California, United States. 4 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 November 1997 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Corona, California, United States

Nearest airport

Corona Municipal (AJO)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Beechcraft C23

Registration

N3724Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Air Accord

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bakersfield → San Diego

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

LAX98LA035

Nobody was injured.

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough terrain that resulted in a nose over during the landing roll.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he had full fuel onboard. About 1 hour into the flight, the pilot descended and switched the fuel selector to the right tank. The engine ran rough and was 'hesitant.' When he switched back to the left tank, the engine ran normally. He elected to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. During his descent he switched back to the right tank and the engine ran rough again. He was not able to receive a traffic advisory and was unable to see the windsock. On final approach he realized he had a tail wind and was too high and fast. He initiated a go-around but the engine was sluggish and the airplane would not climb. The pilot headed for an open field to make an off-airport emergency landing and the engine quit. The airplane brushed the tops of some trees and touched down in the field. The nose gear struck a rock during the landing roll and the nose gear collapsed. The engine was test run following recovery and operated for about 5 minutes through the full range of operation with and without the electric fuel pump, on both fuel tanks. About 5.6 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank and 17.9 gallons were drained from the right tank. No debris, water, or restrictions were noted in the fuel lines, carburetor bowl, or fuel strainer.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.