Beech C23 accident near Bangor, Maine, May 1, 2026
On May 1, 2026 at about 8:04 pm local time, a 1981 Beech C23, registered N18516, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Bangor, Maine (Bangor Intl airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 1, 2026 · about 8:04 pm local time
- Place
- Bangor, Maine · Bangor Intl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech C23, built 1981 · all C23s on the register
- Registration
- N18516 · registry record · serial M-2344
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 01, 2026, at 1604 eastern daylight time, a Beechcraft C23 airplane, N18516, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bangor, Maine. The private pilot and flight instructor were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the certified flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was to provide instruction to the private pilot in preparation for his commercial certificate. The CFI reported that the private pilot completed the preflight inspection with no discrepancies noted. After engine start, there was some momentary engine roughness; however, it did not last long, and the pilots continued with the lesson. Taxi, pretakeoff checks and departure from runway 33 at Bangor International Airport (BGR), Bangor, Maine, were normal. The CFI reported that during the initial climb, about 200 ft above ground level, the pilot’s door “popped open.” The CFI contacted air traffic control (ATC) and advised that they would need to return to land to secure the door. After returning to the airport and securing the door, they taxied back to the runway for departure. The CFI continued that, after receiving a takeoff clearance, the pilot taxied into position, applied full power, and they departed from runway 33. About 700-800 ft above mean sea level, they made a right turn to a heading of 020° and leveled the wings. The airplane subsequently began to vibrate and run rough. They elected to return to BGR. During the return, the CFI reported that the engine roughness intensified, followed by a total loss of engine power. The CFI assumed control of the airplane, declared an emergency to ATC, and maneuvered toward the runway. While overflying the runway, the CFI realized they were too high and added flaps and slipped the airplane in an effort to lose altitude; however, the airplane floated down the runway. After touchdown, insufficient runway remained to stop. The airplane overran the runway, entered the safety area, and impacted an embankment, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The airplane was retained for further examination.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb
- Landing area overshoot during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,450 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: BGR Bangor ME at 7:35 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15/3, 11,440 ft by 200 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 7 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KBGR, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBGR 011953Z 31007G19KT 10SM BKN060 14/01 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP060 T01440011=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
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 ERA26LA196.