N2120W - 1973 BEECH C23 - Complete Aircraft History & Registry Information

Quick Facts & Current Owner

Current Owner
SALE REPORTED
Location
AUGUSTA, Maine
Registration Status
Active until
Serial Number
M-1492
Last Seen on Market
Never Listed
Last Seen Airborne
No Recent Activity
Last FAA Action Date
January 2018
Owned Since
January 2018
Location of N2120W in AUGUSTA, Maine

About the BEECH C23

The Beechcraft C23 Sundowner is a cornerstone of Beechcraft's series of general aviation aircraft, often celebrated for its reliability and practical design. Originally introduced by Beechcraft, a division of the Raytheon Company, the C23 Sundowner made its maiden flight in 1970 and quickly became a popular choice within the general aviation community. The roots of the C23 date back to the Musketeer line, serving as a development beside the Beechcraft Model 23 series. The Sundowner designation was introduced to distinguish this model from other similar variants within the Beechcraft piston-engine aircraft roster.

The primary motivation for producing the C23 Sundowner lay in addressing the need for a versatile, user-friendly aircraft that could serve both as a trainer for new pilots and as a reliable mode of transportation for personal or small business use. With general aviation growing considerably in the 1960s and 1970s, Beechcraft sought to capitalize on the market by offering an aircraft that was easier to fly than many of its contemporaries, while maintaining high standards of build quality and performance.

Key Features and Capabilities

Manufactured between 1970 and 1983, the C23 comes equipped with a Lycoming O-360 engine that delivers around 180 horsepower. This engine choice gives the Sundowner a balanced mix of power and efficiency, offering a cruise speed of approximately 120 knots and a range of around 500 nautical miles, making it suitable for both short-distance commutes and longer flights. The aircraft features a spacious cabin with seating for four, providing both comfort and functionality.

One of the benefits of the Beechcraft C23 Sundowner is its sturdy construction. The aircraft's design features a fixed tricycle landing gear and a low-wing configuration, which together enhance its stability and overall ease of handling. It also incorporates simpler avionics compared to more advanced aircraft, making it accessible for less experienced pilots. Due to these characteristics, the Sundowner fills a well-defined niche in general aviation, as both a capable trainer and a reliable travel companion for amateur pilots.


Flight History and Activity for N2120W

No flight activity has been observed for this aircraft since 2022.

This could indicate the aircraft is in storage, undergoing maintenance, or operating in areas without flight tracking coverage.

Maintenance and Safety Records

Safety Record Summary

  • 4 accident/incident report(s) on file

Accident and Incident Reports

September 08, 1974 - NORFOLK, Virginia

Damage Level
Unknown
Description
ENPLANING PASSENGER WALKED INTO PROPELLER.AIRCRAFT TAXI LIGHT,STROBE LIGHT,ROTATING BEACON ON.

September 14, 2017 - MACHIAS, Maine

Damage Level
Substantial
Description
THURSDAY MORNING , SEPTEMBER 14, 2017, PILOT PREPARED A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT DEPARTING KAUG TO KMVM, KLRG AND BACK TO KAUG. PILOT HAD GONE OVER HIS FLIGHT PLAN WITH HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AT MAINE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT. PILOT CONTACTED FLIGHT SERVICES TO FILE HIS VFR FLIGHT PLAN. PILOT CONDUCTED A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND INDICATED HE HAD FULL FUEL TANKS AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. PILOT DEPARTED KAUG AT ROUGHLY 10:15 AND WAS ON HIS WAY TO KMVM. PILOT INDICATED ABOUT 10MILES FROM KMVM HE BEGAN DESCENDING TO PATTERN ALTITUDE AND MADE A RADIO CALL. HE ENTERED THE DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 36. EVERYTHING WAS STILL GOING SMOOTH. AS HE BEGAN HIS TURN FOR THE BASE LEG THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT AND ESTIMATED THAT THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER ABOUT 15 TO 20 SECONDS AFTER HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT. PILOT STARTED A FLOW CHECK TO SEE IF I COULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HE HAD MIXTURE FULL RICH, CARB HEAT ON, AND FUEL BOOST PUMP ON, AT THAT POINT THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. HE CUT THE BASE LEG AT A 45 STRAIGHT FOR THE RUNWAY PITCHING FOR BEST GLIDE RATE. PILOT STATED "AS I GOT CLOSER I REALIZED I WAS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE RUNWAY. THERE WAS A SMALL GRASSY AREA JUST BEFORE THE RUNWAY. I MADE THE DECISION TO GO FOR A SOFT FIELD LANDING AND ROLL ONTO THE RUNWAY. I TOUCHED DOWN ON THE GRASS TRYING TO MAKE IT SOFT AS POSSIBLE AND KEEP THE NOSE WHEEL UP. THE GROUND WAS MUCH SOFTER THAN EXPECTED AND THE LANDING GEARS SANK INTO THE GROUND CAUSING THE NOSE TO HIT HARD AND BREAK THE LANDING GEAR OFF. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SPUN AROUND FACING THE DIRECTION I WAS COMING FROM. I TOOK A MINUTE TO GATHER MYSELF AND REALIZED I WAS LEAKING FUEL. I SHUT EVERYTHING DOWN AND MOVED AWAY FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AT THAT POINT BYSTANDERS RUSHED OUT TO SEE IF I WAS OK." END.

September 08, 1974 - NORFOLK, Virginia

Damage Level
None

September 14, 2017 - Machias, Maine

Damage Level
Substantial
Description
The private pilot descended the airplane to the destination airport but did not apply carburetor heat. While in the traffic pattern, as the airplane was turning onto a left base leg for the runway, the engine began to run roughly. The pilot then applied carburetor heat, but the engine lost total power. After realizing that the airplane was not going to glide to the runway threshold, the pilot performed a forced landing in a grassy area just short of the runway. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane spun 180° before it came to rest, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the ignition system, fuel system, or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to the formation of serious carburetor icing at glide power. Although the Descent checklist in the pilot operating handbook for the airplane make and model instructed the pilot to use carburetor heat as required, the pilot did not apply carburetor heat before initiating the descent; rather, he waited until the engine began to run roughly. It is likely that the engine initially lost partial power after developing carburetor ice and that the pilot's delayed application of carburetor heat was ineffective at melting any accumulated ice.

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Complete History Timeline

📋

Jan 2018

Registration

Registered to SALE REPORTED in AUGUSTA, ME




📋

Dec 2017

Registration

Registered to TRADE WINDS AVIATION in CARROLLTON, GA




⚠️

Sep 2017

Accident/Incident

Accident with substantial damage




⚠️

Sep 2017

Accident/Incident

Accident with substantial damage




📋

Oct 2015

Registration

Registered to MAINE INSTRUMENT FLIGHT in AUGUSTA, ME




📋

Jan 2012

Registration

Registered to AEROBATICS LLC in WEST SAND LAKE, NY




⚠️

Sep 1974

Accident/Incident

Accident with none damage




⚠️

Sep 1974

Accident/Incident

Accident with unknown damage




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Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns N2120W?

N2120W is currently registered to SALE REPORTED in AUGUSTA, Maine.

What type of aircraft is N2120W?

N2120W is a 1973 BEECH C23 with serial number M-1492.

Has N2120W been in any accidents?

Yes, N2120W has 4 accident/incident report(s) on file with the FAA/NTSB.

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