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Casualties unknown

Pilot Executes Forced Landing in Trees After Encountering Fog in Mountainous Terrain (N2319L)

Asheville, NC, US

On December 30, 2006, a Beech BE-23 (registration N2319L) was involved in an aviation accident near Asheville, NC. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's continued VFR cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident were fog and low ceilings. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A private pilot and three passengers escaped injury after the pilot performed a forced landing into trees when fog obscured mountainous terrain during a cross-country flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage.

Incident Overview

A private pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91 with three passengers. While flying over mountainous terrain, weather conditions deteriorated with the onset of fog, low ceilings, and poor visibility. According to the pilot, conditions worsened and the airplane entered a fog bank.

Pilot Actions

After losing all visual reference with the terrain below, the pilot leveled the airplane's wings and initiated a shallow descent. Upon emerging from the fog bank, the pilot observed a tree-covered mountain slope approximately 100 feet ahead. In response, he selected a forced landing site among the trees.

Aircraft Damage

The forced landing resulted in substantial damage to the airplane's wings, fuselage, and empennage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Dec 2006 Beech BE-23 accident near Asheville, NC?

A private pilot and three passengers escaped injury after the pilot performed a forced landing into trees when fog obscured mountainous terrain during a cross-country flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Dec 2006 involved a Beech BE-23, registration N2319L, at Asheville, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's continued VFR cruise flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with trees. Factors associated with the accident were fog and low ceilings.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070213X00175. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.