What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1996-03-15 involved a Beech A23A, registration N2300W, at Sarasota, FL.

Aircraft N2300W Crashes After Stall/Spin Near Vertical Descent

On March 15, 1996, a Beech A23A (registration N2300W) was involved in an aviation accident near Sarasota, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering (VSO) resulting in an inadvertent in-flight loss of control (stall/spin) and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An aircraft (N2300W) declared mayday for a stall and spin, then crashed in a near-vertical descent with 35-degree nose-down attitude and no forward motion. A witness observed a left spiral descent.

Incident Overview

The pilot of aircraft N2300W was in radio contact with air traffic control for traffic advisories. Radar tracking showed the aircraft maneuvering between 2,400 feet and 2,300 feet.

Mayday Call

During the flight, the pilot transmitted: "Mayday, November Two Three Zero Zero Whiskey is in a stall in a spin."

Witness Observations

A witness driving near the accident site reported seeing the airplane descending in a vertical spiral to the left.

Crash Site Evidence

Examination of the crash site revealed that the airplane collided with the ground in a near vertical descent, with a 35-degree nose-down attitude. There was no evidence of forward motion at impact.

Conclusion

The accident sequence involved a stall and spin, resulting in a vertical descent to the ground.

1996-03-15: Beech A23A (N2300W) — Sarasota, FL