Beech C23 accident near Linden, New Jersey, December 21, 2008
On December 21, 2008 at about 9:49 pm local time, a Beech C23, registered N2109W, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Linden, New Jersey (Linden Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 21, 2008 · about 9:49 pm local time
- Place
- Linden, New Jersey · Linden Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · all C23s on the register
- Registration
- N2109W · registry record · serial M-1432
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that on climbout, at approximately 300 feet above ground level, he noticed that the engine was producing only 1,700 to 1,800 rpm. At that point, he repositioned the fuel selector from the left to right tank, and then and looked for a place to land. The airplane subsequently entered an aerodynamic stall and crashed into a tree. A postcrash fire consumed a significant portion of the wreckage. Examination of the engine and airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. In addition, the pilot had purchased fuel just prior to the accident takeoff.
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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,840 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 1,391 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 27, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,100 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4G (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: LDJ Linden Airport NJ at 9:49 pm
- Destination: JGG Williamsburg VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 27, 4,137 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.54 inHg
- Observation at 10:28 pm from LDJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA09FA100.