# Accident 19970625015969A: Beech D18S, Willow, AK, June 25, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 25, 1997, 11:30 local time
- Place: Willow, AK
- Airport: Willow Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: To Aborted (Fixed Wing)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.8897° N, 149.7303° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8897&lon=-149.7303&mi=10
- Aircraft: N765D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N765D-2013-05-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Beech D18S (registry code 1151004, https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d18s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 series (registry code 52008, https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D18S
- Reported engine: PWA R985AN14B
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 8,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC97LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA090) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970625015969A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON TAKEOFF. (FROM .4) THE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM A 4400-FOOT-LONG GRAVEL AIRSTRIP WITH A NEAR GROSS WEIGHT LOAD OF CARGO.  HE SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE AIRPLANE FELT 'SLUGGISH', AND HE BELIEVES THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB, AND HE ELECTED TO BRING BOTH ENGINES TO IDLE AND LAND ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY, AND CONTINUED OFF THE END AND INTO THE WOODS.  A FIRE ERUPTED, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.  THE PILOT IS UNSURE IF THE FIRE OCCURRED IN THE AIR, OR SHORTLY AFTER THE AIRPLANE WENT OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE ENGINES WERE EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY FIRE, AND WERE NOT EXAMINED.  FAA INSPECTORS ON SCENE SAID THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS SIGNS OF CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC97LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA090), Jun 25, 1997: Beech D18S (N765D), Willow, AK, destroyed. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

## Other reports on N765D (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19750308004959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750308004959A), Mar 8, 1975: Beech D18S (N765D), Chicago, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with cargo tug at intersection of ground vehicle access road and taxiway.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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