Beech C23 accident near Winter Haven, Florida, February 25, 2010
On February 25, 2010 at about 2:27 pm local time, a Beech C23, registered N180ED, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Winter Haven, Florida (Winter Haven'S Gilbert Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper placement of the fuel selector valve during takeoff, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed following a total loss of engine power resulting in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the failure of maintenance personnel to detect the lack of proper markings on the fuel selector stop and fuel selector valve shroud at the last 100-Hour inspection.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 25, 2010 · about 2:27 pm local time
- Place
- Winter Haven, Florida · Winter Haven'S Gilbert Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C23 · all C23s on the register
- Registration
- N180ED · no longer on the register · serial M-1622
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine lost power, and the airplane stalled and impacted the ground. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The fuel selector was observed in the off range after the accident and immediate postaccident testing of the selector valve revealed no mechanical anomalies. While the pilot’s cockpit actions pertaining to the fuel selector valve following the loss of engine power could not be determined, the lack of a preimpact mechanical failure of the engine or its systems, and the lack of an issue related to fuel quality are consistent with the fuel selector valve being in the off range for takeoff. Inspection and operational testing of the fuel selector valve was reportedly performed as required during the last annual and 100-Hour inspections; however, no guidance was given to maintenance personnel on how to perform the operational shutdown test. Different interpretations of what constituted proper engine shutdown was noted by the mechanics that performed the last annual and 100-Hour inspections. The mechanic who performed the last 100-Hour inspection approximately 6 months prior to the accident failed to detect that the fuel selector valve guard and stop did not contain required markings which clearly depict the off range for the pilot.
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 initial climb defining event
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 469 hours in all; 6 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 391 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 16, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,003 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 12, 2009; 63 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4J (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Tailwheels Etc, Inc.
The flight
- Departed from: GIF Winter Haven FL at 2:25 pm
- Destination: LAL Lakeland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from GIF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.