Beech B23 accident near New Braunfels, Texas, February 8, 2000
On February 8, 2000 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Beech B23, registered N4014T, was substantially damaged in an accident near New Braunfels, Texas. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the seizure of the engine while maneuvering due to the oil pressure relief valve plug ball seat becoming contaminated with metal. Contributing factors were the inadequate engine maintenance, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2000 · about 7:30 pm local time · cases in 2000
- Place
- New Braunfels, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B23 · all B23s on the register
- Registration
- N4014T · registry record · serial M-1121
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot made several takeoffs and landings prior to departing the traffic pattern. Witnesses reported observing the airplane flying at an altitude of approximately 20 feet above the trees, and they reported that they did not hear the airplane's engine running. A witness stated that the airplane flew by her in a level attitude, and after the airplane cleared some power lines it started to descend. It then appeared that the airplane's left wing impacted some trees before it nosed down into the trees. Continuity was established to all of the 1968-model Beech Musketeer's flight controls. Examination of the engine oil pressure and suction screens revealed the presence of metal particles, shavings and flakes. The oil pressure relief valve plug, spring, and ball were removed. The ball had metal adhering to it, and the ball seat was contaminated with metal, which according to the manufacturer representative, "may have prevented the ball from contacting the seat." A large amount of sludge was found inside of the crankshaft. A teardown examination of the engine revealed evidence of a lack of lubrication. A review of the airplane's maintenance records revealed that the engine's last oil change was on July 2, 1999, at a total airplane and engine time of 1,665.0 hours. There was no record that the oil suction screen or oil pressure screens were cleaned during that oil change. The last documented cleaning of the oil screens was December 1, 1996. At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated a total time of 1,680.92 hours and the engine had never undergone an overhaul. The engine's operating manual states that "at each 100 hour inspection remove suction screen. Inspect for metal particles; clean and reinstall. Inspect and clean pressure screen every 25 hours."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 49 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 9 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,681 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 6, 1999; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A2G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BAZ at 6:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 163°F (73°C), dew point 97°F (36°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:51 pm from BAZ, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N4014T on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Beechcraft B23 62 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Beechcraft 6 aircraft on the register
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A2G 3 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- New Braunfels Ntl Airport · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Texas 6,244 since 1982 · 1,065 in the last ten years
- Texas 29,945 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/FTW00FA080.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.