N2341L

Substantial
Serious

BEECH 23 S/N: M-172

Accident Details

Date
Friday, August 12, 1994
NTSB Number
BFO94LA133
Location
FREEPORT, PA
Event ID
20001206X01960
Coordinates
40.559734, -79.749557
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and the instructor's inadequate supervision.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N2341L
Make
BEECH
Serial Number
M-172
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1963
Model / ICAO
23 BE23
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
PLOCKI NEAL
Address
507 RIVERVIEW DRIVE
Status
Deregistered
City
NEW KENSINGTON
State / Zip Code
PA 15068
Country
United States

Analysis

On August 12, 1993, a Beech 23, N2341L, an instructional flight, collided with trees during initial take off climb near Freeport, Pennsylvania. The visual meteorolgical conditions existed. The certified flight instructor received minor injuries; the student pilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The local area instructional flight was being operated by Neal Plocki of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The instructor reported, "after normal (engine) run-up, attempted takeoff. At rotation, aircraft lifted off ground, then dropped back on wheels. On the next rotation attempt, aircraft was flying in ground effect, but would not gain altitude. At this point, power was reduced and instructor steered aircraft to an area to right of runway to an area of trees. The right wing was sheared off, and the left side of aircraft struck trees."

According to the FAA, "Witnesses stated the aircraft lifted off with a high nose attiude and a low right wing. It continued to fly down the runway, drifting to the right until it hit trees . . . The instructor stated that they were executing a short field takeoff when the studen "froze" on the controls and the instructor could not get control of the aircraft from the student.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO94LA133