NTSB Factual Report

On August 24, 2004, approximately 1629 central daylight time, a Beech C23, N9714Q, registered to and operated by a private individual, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power near Shreveport, Louisiana. Of the three occupants onboard, the commercial pilot sustained minor injuries, one passenger sustained minor injuries, and one passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from the Shreveport Downtown Airport (DTN) near Shreveport, Louisiana, approximately 1615.

During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board representative, the pilot reported that he was flying over Lucien Airfield (33LS), near Shreveport, Louisiana, at an indicated altitude of approximately 600 feet, while demonstrating the importance of short field techniques to his passengers. As he increased power to initiate a climb to 1,500 feet agl, "the engine lost power." An engine restart was attempted, but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing straight ahead. The pilot added that he moved the mixture to the idle cut-off position and attempted to slow the airplane as much as possible before the airplane impacted trees. The right wing initially impacted the trees, and the airplane came to rest inverted and was entangled within trees.

The 800-hour pilot completed two flights prior to this flight on the day of the accident in the same airplane. A pre-flight inspection of the airplane was performed by the pilot prior to his most recent departure from DTN. He reported that everything appeared to be in order, including fuel and oil.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the empennage was detached from the fuselage approximately 3 feet aft of the rear passenger seating area. Both wings were bent and remained attached to the fuselage. There was evidence of fuel at the accident site. The fuel selector was observed in the "ON" position, and the magneto switch was observed in the "BOTH" position. One propeller blade was slightly bent aft and the other propeller blade was embedded into the ground. The reason for the reported loss of engine power was not determined.

At 1556, the automated surface observing system at the Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV), located approximately 6 miles northwest of the accident site reported wind from 200 degrees at 12 knots gusting to 17 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky condition clear, temperature 93 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 29.91 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.