Casualties unknown

1983-11-17: Beech B23 (N18937) — Pittstown, NJ

Pittstown, NJ, US

On November 17, 1983, a Beech B23 (registration N18937) was involved in an aviation accident near Pittstown, NJ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight, two landings encountered windshear. On the second, the student's response led to a stall, and despite instructor intervention, the aircraft landed hard, collapsing the nose and right landing gear.

Summary

During a training flight, the aircraft encountered windshear during the first landing. The student pilot did not make a proper correction, so the certified flight instructor (CFI) took control and landed the aircraft. Before performing another takeoff and landing, the CFI and student discussed the problem of windshear and the proper actions to take. On the next landing, windshear was again encountered. The student pulled the nose up into a stall configuration, and as the sink rate increased, the CFI grabbed the controls, added three-quarters power, and lowered the nose. However, the aircraft landed hard, collapsing the nose and right landing gear. Wind at the time was gusting to 35 knots.

Sequence of Events

The flight involved a student pilot and a CFI. During the first landing, the aircraft encountered windshear. The student did not make the proper correction, prompting the CFI to take control and complete the landing safely. Following this, before another takeoff and landing, the CFI and student discussed the windshear phenomenon and the correct pilot actions to manage it.

During the subsequent landing, windshear was encountered again. The student reacted by pulling the nose up, which resulted in the aircraft entering a stall configuration. As the sink rate increased, the CFI took over the controls, adding approximately three-quarters power and lowering the nose in an attempt to recover. Despite these actions, the aircraft landed hard.

Damage

The hard landing caused the collapse of the nose landing gear and the right landing gear.

Meteorological Information

Wind conditions at the time of the incident included gusts up to 35 knots.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X45190. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.