# NTSB ATL88FA158: Beech E18S, N300W, Cynthiana, KY, April 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1988, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Cynthiana, KY
- Coordinates: 38.379394, -84.289535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3794&lon=-84.2895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7601
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7601/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA158

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Fire, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - leak (cause)
  - fire extinguishing equipment - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - burned (contributing factor)
  - object - airport facility
  - object - pole
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS REPOSITIONING THE AIRPLANE FROM AN ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI FREIGHT FLIGHT. HE WAS EN ROUTE FROM ROCHESTER, NY TO HUNTSVILLE, AL WITH A PLANNED REFUEL STOP AT LOUISVILLE, KY. NEAR FALMOUTH, KY HE CHANGED HIS DESTINATION TO LEXINGTON 'DUE TO A DEVELOPING ENGINE PROBLEM'. HE SAW THE AIRPORT AT CYNTHIANA AND ELECTED TO LAND THERE. WHILE ON DOWNWIND, HE NOTED THE LEFT ENGINE COWLING TURNING BLACK AND ON BASE NOTED FLAMES FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. HE REPTD SHUTTING THE ENGINE DOWN AND FEATHERING THE PROPELLER BUT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT, AND COLLIDED WITH THE AIRPORT WIND 'T', A POLE AND A 'T' HANGAR. POST ACC INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LEFT PROP WAS NOT FEATHERED AND THE FUEL WAS NOT SHUT OFF. THE LEFT BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE DUE TO FIRE DAMAGE. THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE ACCESSORY SECTION. THE SPECIFIC FUEL SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N300W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300W-1991-04-24), registration cancelled 1991-04-24, S/N BA92 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA 92
- Airframe hours: 9048
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Aero-Taxi-Rockford, Inc.
- Registered owner: Aero Taxi Rockford Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1988, 73 hours before
- Departed: ROC, ROCHESTER, NY
- Destination: LEX, LEXINGTON, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 018, Cynthiana Harrison Co., runway 29, 3,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 900 in this make and model, 1,310 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LEX, 25 nm away

## 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 19880429013949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880429013949A), Apr 29, 1988: Beech E18S, Cynthiana, KY, Destroyed. Inflight engine fire. Veered into hangar on landing due to no brake and crosswind. Burned. Failed to secure engine.

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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