Beech C23 accident near Gonzales, Texas, September 24, 2023
On September 24, 2023, a 1977 Beech C23, registered N18994, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Gonzales, Texas (Roger M Dreyer Meml airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power during go-around due to a failed muffler flame tube, which resulted in an exhaust blockage. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel's inadequate inspection of the exhaust system during the most recent maintenance.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2023
- Place
- Gonzales, Texas · Roger M Dreyer Meml · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C23, built 1977 · all C23s on the register
- Registration
- N18994 · no longer on the register · serial M-1998
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while on final approach to the runway he experienced wind shear and elected to go around. He applied full throttle and began to climb out when the engine sustained a loss of power, so he made a forced landing to a field off the left side of the runway. The airplane collided with a fence and a tree, which separated the right wing near the wing root. Postaccident examination of the exhaust system revealed that a portion of the muffler flame tube had failed and blocked at least 95% of the tailpipe exit path. The piece of flame tube was lodged in the tailpipe. A 3-inch crack was noted on the muffler endcap opposite of the separated flame tube. There were no other mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The muffler had been repaired and reinstalled on the airplane about 23 years before the accident and accumulated 504.84 hours. The most recent 100-hour/annual inspection, which was completed 55.4 hours before the accident, failed to identify the degraded and corroded flame tube.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Failure
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine exhaust › (general) › Inadequate inspection
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 210.9 hours in all; 162.7 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 125 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,052.8 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 23, 2022; 55 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4K (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KHYI San Marcos TX at 11:39 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 10 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from KBAZ, 33 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KBAZ 232351Z AUTO 16013KT 10SM CLR 37/20 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP078 T03670200 10389 20356 55005
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
11 documents, released by the NTSB on May 9, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | NTSB Examination Summary | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 5 | FAA Advisory Circular Ac 91-59A Inspection and Care of General Aviation Aircraft Exhaust Systems | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 6 | FAA-H-8083-32B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook A�� Powerplant - Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Textron Aviation | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Dynon Avionics Data | data file | Download |
| 9 | FAA ADS-B Data | spreadsheet | Download |
| 10 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation - Textron Aviation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.