Beech BE23 accident near Vidalia, Georgia, July 23, 1999
On July 23, 1999 at about 11:00 am local time, a Beech BE23, registered N2381Z, was substantially damaged in an accident near Vidalia, Georgia. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from an unsuitable pasture. A factor contributing to the accident consisted of previous damage to the leading edges of the wings.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 23, 1999 · about 11:00 am local time
- Place
- Vidalia, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech BE23
- Registration
- N2381Z · registry record · serial M-92
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed the 900 foot pasture despite damage to the leading edge of the wing received in a previous accident and the owners advise not to fly the airplane in its current condition. Upon takeoff, the airplane became airborne and climbed 3 to 4 feet before striking a fence at the end of the pasture. The airplane subsequently yawed 180 degrees and came to rest in a rubbish pile.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 213 hours in all; 33 in this make and model; 19 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 192 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 22, 1997; 53 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 D2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 4JA Soperton GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm from VDI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.