# NTSB ATL89FA098: Beech BE-18, N3281T, Covington, KY, March 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1989, 06:17 local (11:17 UTC)
- Place: Covington, KY
- Coordinates: 39.000541, -84.580726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0005&lon=-84.5807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7880
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89FA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7880/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89FA098

## Probable cause

PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH COATING OF FROST ON THE AIRFRAME WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF LIFT DURING CLIMBOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - ice (cause)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

N3281T WAS ATTEMPTING AN INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE WHEN IT CRASHED LEFT OF THE EXTENDED CENTER LINE OF RUNWAY 18. THE FLIGHT WAS OBSERVED CLIMBING THROUGH 200 FEET PRIOR TO DESCENDING TO THE GROUND. PRIOR TO TAXIING TO TAKEOFF THE PILOT FAILED TO DEICE THE AIRFRAME. AIRPLANES ON THE PARKING RAMP AROUND N3281T DEICED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. WEATHER REPORTS INDICATED THAT TEMP/DEW POINT WERE 26 AND 23 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. THE SURFACE OBSERVATION ALSO REPORTED FOG AS A RESTRICTION TO VISIBILITY. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE'S HANDBOOK THAT TESTS PROVE THAT A COAT OF FROST ON A WING CAN DESTROY ITS LIFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3281T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3281T-1992-01-25), registration cancelled 1992-01-25, S/N BA611 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE-18
- Registry model: [Beech G18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g18s) (registry code 1151010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-611
- Airframe hours: 13262
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ajax Leasing Inc, doing business as Action Aero Charter Inc
- Registered owner: Ajax Aircraft Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 15, 1989, 7 hours before
- Departed: CVG, COVINGTON, KY
- Destination: DTW, DETROIT METRO, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CVG, Cincinnati, runway 18, 9,501 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,560 total, 15 in this make and model, 9,560 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CVG

## 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 19890309003299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890309003299A), Mar 9, 1989: Beech STC18BEECH, Covington - Cin, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled,crashed and burned on initial climbout. Full load. Not prior deiced as other aircraft. Drugs pilots system.

## Other investigations on N3281T (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 CHI85LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA026), Oct 24, 1984: Beech G-18S (N3281T), Belleville, MI, substantial damage

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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