# NTSB CHI83FA381: Beech G18S, N400NA, Evart, MI, August 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1983, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Evart, MI
- Coordinates: 43.900257, -85.270866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9003&lon=-85.2709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12017
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA381
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12017/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA381

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A UTILITY POLE AND A LARGE TREE DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS ON TAKEOFF. WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT BACKFIRING AND THE GROUND RUN WAS EXCESSIVELY LONG. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WENT THROUGH THE TOPS OF PINE TREES. THE BACKFIRING AND SMOKE STOPPED AFTER THE COLLISION WITH THE PINE TREES AND THE ACFT STARTED A DESCENT TOWARD A STREET. IT MANEUVERED AS IF TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH CARS. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE SPARK PLUGS FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE WERE TESTED AND ALL BUT #5 FRONT PLUG WOULD NOT SPARK. HOWEVER DURING A SUBSEQUENT TEST THE SPARK PLUGSPLUGS, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF #5, DID TEST PROPERLY. A COMPLETE ENGINE TEARDOWN DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR PRE-IMPACT ENGINE DISCREPANCY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N400NA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N400NA-1985-07-25), registration cancelled 1985-07-25, S/N BA-591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH G18S
- Registry model: [Beech G18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g18s) (registry code 1151010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA 591
- Airframe hours: 13983
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Northern Air Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 1983, 89 hours before
- Destination: ENW, KENOSHA, WI
- Airport: 9C8, Evart Muni, runway 6, 2,825 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F

## 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 19830811040629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830811040629A), Aug 11, 1983: Beech G18S, Evart, MI, Destroyed. Right engine backfiring, lifted off beyond end of runway. Hit trees wires poles on climb and forced landing on a rd

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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