Beech A23-19 accident near West Liberty, Kentucky, August 19, 2012
On August 19, 2012 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Beech A23-19, registered N4746J, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near West Liberty, Kentucky (West Liberty Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's delayed decision to abort a takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 2012 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- West Liberty, Kentucky · West Liberty Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech A23-19 · all A23-19s on the register
- Registration
- N4746J · no longer on the register · serial MB-182
- 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, during the takeoff roll and initial climb, he thought he did not have enough airspeed to climb over a hill that was in the distance. He aborted the takeoff, landed the airplane, and attempted to stop the airplane before the end of the 2,400 foot-long runway. The airplane continued off of the departure end of the runway and collided with a ditch. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that it sustained substantial damage to both wings and the firewall. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 335 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 15, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 683 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 12, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9I3 West Liberty KY at 5:00 pm
- Destination: 9I3 West Liberty KY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 2,400 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from 9I3
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.