# NTSB Accident CEN19LA051
> **Piper PA 23** · 2018-12-31 · Beaver Island, MI, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** CEN19LA051
- **Event ID:** 20181231X45242
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2018-12-31
- **Location:** Beaver Island, MI, USA
- **Coordinates:** 45.684722, -85.574447
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 1
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 1
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Piper
- **Model:** PA 23
- **Registration:** N2146P
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 2
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a positive rate of climb after takeoff which resulted in an impact with trees and terrain.  Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to see a visible horizon due to the dark night lighting conditions and limited ground lights in the vicinity of the airport.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=CEN19LA051) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*