# NTSB ANC81DA087: Beech E18S, N326W, Tobin Creek, AK, July 30, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: July 30, 1981
- Place: Tobin Creek, AK · TOBIN CREEK, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC81DA087
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA087

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2830  81/7/30    TOBIN CREEK,AK      BEECH E18S          CR-  0  0  1  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1516                    N326W               PX-  0  0  4  AIR TAXI-PASSG            38, 7285 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            1852 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - TOBIN CREEK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FAIRBANKS,AK                TOBIN CREEK,AK
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           COLLIDED WITH: DITCHES                                   LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: TAILWHEEL ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - EXCESSIVE-WEAR/PLAY
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: BRAKING SYSTEM (NORMAL SYSTEM)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WARPED
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: POORLY MAINTAINED RUNWAY SURFACE
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRPORT CONDITIONS: OTHER
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    7000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     TAIL WIND 158-202 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           50                                                      170
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           10                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          OTHER
        REMARKS- TAIL WHL LOCK WORN,CAME UNLOCKED.L BRAKE DISC WARPED.ARPT IN BOX CANYON.WND GSTG 15KTS.CO FLT PLN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N326W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N326W-2013-07-30), registration cancelled 2013-07-30, S/N BA-443, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Tobin Creek

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810730046389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810730046389A), Jul 30, 1981: Beech 18S, Tobin Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control during landing. Later found tail wheel would not lock.

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.

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