# NTSB ATL90FA157: Beech E18S, N563W, Greenwood, SC, August 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1990, 23:45 local (Aug 10, 1990, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Greenwood, SC
- Coordinates: 34.190814, -82.149795 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1908&lon=-82.1498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA157

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY SHUTTING DOWN THE WRONG ENGINE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE INTAKE VALVE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE DUE TO FATIGUE, AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - engine assembly,valve,intake - fatigue (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER LIFT-OFF.  A WITNESS HEARD A NOISE & OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE COWLING AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A TURN AFTER CLIMBING ABOUT 200 FT, DESCENDED THROUGH A SMALL GROVE OF TREES, CRASHED IN A PASTURE, AND BURNED.  DURING TAKEOFF, THE PLANE'S GROSS WEIGHT WAS ABOUT 11,050 LBS & THE CG WAS BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT.  ITS MAXIMUM CERTIFIED WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 9700 LBS.  THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF A GROSS WEIGHT PROBLEM BEFORE TAKEOFF.  AN EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT ENGINE PROPELLER WAS IN THE FEATHERED POSITION & THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS NOT FEATHERED AT IMPACT.  A CHECK OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DISCLOSED THAT THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER INTAKE VALVE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N563W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N563W-1991-03-29), registration cancelled 1991-03-29, S/N BA139 (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-139
- Airframe hours: 10323
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Royal Air Freight
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 9, 1990, 0 hours before
- Departed: GRD, GREENWOOD, SC
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GRD, Greenwood County, runway 9, 4,993 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 299 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AND, 35 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 19900809031759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900809031759A), Aug 9, 1990: Beech E18S, Greenwood, SC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost right engine on climbout. Lost control. Hit trees. Valve failure broke cylinder. 600 lbs over gross. Feathered.

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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