Beechcraft C23 N997V

Summary

On 10 September 2025 at about 18:08 local time, a Beechcraft C23 registered N997V was involved in an accident near South Bend, Indiana, United States. 2 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

10 September 2025 at 18:08

Classification

Accident

Location

South Bend, Indiana, United States

Nearest airport

South Bend Intl (SBN)

Coordinates

41.7082, -86.3173

Aircraft

Beechcraft C23

Registration

N997V

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

South Bend → Coldwater

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN25LA382

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go around which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the loss of directional control 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, during the initial climb, about 200 to 300 ft above the ground, the pilot’s side door became unlatched. The pilot decided to return to the airport and land to close the door. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with left rudder input, but the airplane continued to the right. He initiated a go-around but was unable to gain sufficient airspeed. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left aileron. According to the pilot no mechanical failures or malfunctions were observed before the door opened during the initial climb.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.