# NTSB CHI87FA085: Beech E18S, N149R, Quincy, IL, February 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1987, 15:32 local (21:32 UTC)
- Place: Quincy, IL
- Coordinates: 39.930786, -91.380973 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9308&lon=-91.3810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA085

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - not performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT, AT NEAR GROSS WEIGHT (CG UNKNOWN), WAS ON INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT ENGINES SOUNDEDNORMAL. AT ABOUT 400 FT AGL THE ACFT WAS REPORTED TO PITCH UP ABOUT 10 DEGREES, THEN LEVEL OFF AND ENTER A LEFT TURN. THE ACFT MADE ANOTHER LEFT TURN TO THE SSW. THE PILOT RPRTD THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO THE FIELD, BUT DID NOT STATE PROBLEM. THE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT WAS IN A 30 DEGREE LEFT BANK, TURNING TOWARD THE ARPT, WHEN THE ACFT STALLED AND DESCENDED TO THE GND IN A VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. FIRE/EXPLOSION AFTER IMPACT. LEFT PROP FND IN FEATHERED POSITION.NO ENGINE PROBLEM FOUND. ON 1/28/87, LT ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER TKOF; NO PROBLEM FOUND; UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. PLT HAD 2 ENGINE-OUT EXPERIENCES IN AIRPLANE PREVIOUSLY, BOTH WHEN AT LOW WEIGHT. SURROUNDING TERRAIN SUITABLE FOR OFF-AIRPORT LDG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N149R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N149R-1988-08-11), registration cancelled 1988-08-11, S/N BA414 (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: BA414
- Airframe hours: 15749
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Active Aero Charter
- Registered owner: Ajax Aircraft Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 25, 1987, 66 hours before
- Departed: UIN, QUINCY, IL
- Destination: YIP, BELLEVILLE, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Baldwin Field, runway 4, 7,100 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,743 total, 287 in this make and model, 187 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UIN

## 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 19870218002889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870218002889A), Feb 18, 1987: Beech STC18BEECH, Quincy, IL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported problem on climbout. Stalled,crashed and burned trying to return. Left engine was feathered. Got below VMC

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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