On March 28, 1999, a Beech A23 (registration N8883M) was involved in an aviation accident near Homestead, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain control during a low-altitude maneuver following an unexplained loss of engine power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost engine power at low altitude, maneuvered left to avoid landing straight ahead, and struck the ground with the right main gear before skidding to a stop.
What happened
The pilot reported experiencing a sudden loss of engine power while the aircraft was approximately 60 feet above the ground. Rather than attempting to land straight ahead, the pilot elected to maneuver the airplane to the left. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear made contact with the surface first. The impact caused the airplane to bounce to the left, resulting in the left wing tip and landing gear striking the ground. Following these impacts, the airplane skidded to a stop.
The investigation
An examination of the event focused on the reported mechanical failure. Investigators were unable to determine the specific cause of the engine power loss based on available evidence.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control during a low-altitude maneuver following an unexplained loss of engine power.