# NTSB BFO89FA059: Beech E18S, N138JR, Glen Burnie, MD, July 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1989, 07:17 local (11:17 UTC)
- Place: Glen Burnie, MD
- Coordinates: 39.159587, -76.630355 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1596&lon=-76.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 5 minor; on the ground: 1 fatal, 5 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11464
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11464/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89FA059

## Probable cause

A FIRE THAT ERUPTED IN THE COCKPIT OF THE AIRCRAFT (UNDER A SIDE PANEL).  RELATED FACTORS WERE: SMOKE AND FUMES IN THE COCKPIT WHICH REDUCED THE PILOT'S VISUAL PERCEPTION AND ABILITY TO SEE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuselage,crew compartment - fire (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,cb radio - improper
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - residence

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING FROM RUNWAY 15L AT THE BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON INTL ARPT, THE PLT TRANSMITTED THAT HE HAD AN EMERGENCY CONSISTING OF A FIRE UNDER HIS SIDE PANEL. HE RPRTD HE WAS GOING TO CIRCLE & LAND. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, FLAMES & SMOKE WERE IN THE COCKPIT AREA. THE ACFT STARTED A GRADUAL DESCENT DURING A LEFT TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, A CB RADIO WAS FOUND WITH EVIDENCE THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN WIRED TO THE ACFT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE OWNERS STATED THAT THE CB WAS NOT INSTALLEDIN THE ACFT PRIOR TO THE PLT'S USE OF THE PLANE ON THAT FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N138JR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-41
- Airframe hours: 12290
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Centre Airlines
- Registered owner: Centre Airlines, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1989, 39 hours before
- Departed: BWI, BALTIMORE, MD
- Destination: W16, WINCHESTER, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BWI, Baltimore-Washington, runway 33R, 3,199 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,715 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWI, 1 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 19890719023049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890719023049A), Jul 19, 1989: Beech E18S, Baltimore, MD, Destroyed, 2 fatal. On climbout report fire in cockpit. Circled land fire smoke in cockpit. Struck residence. Had cb wired into system.

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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