Beechcraft C23 N1988L

Summary

On 12 February 2026 at about 18:15 local time, a Beechcraft C23 registered N1988L was involved in an accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 February 2026 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Knoxville Downtown Island (DKX)

Coordinates

35.9640, -83.8739

Aircraft

Beechcraft C23

Registration

N1988L

Category

Airplane

Year built

1976

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA26LA128

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a ditch.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that she was conducting traffic pattern work following the completion of the airplane’s annual inspection. During landing, as the nose wheel touched down, the airplane veered abruptly to the left. She attempted to maintain directional control with the rudder pedals, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway and impacted a ditch, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination by an airframe and powerplant mechanic revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.