# NTSB CHI87FA219: Beech H-18, N5850S, Rockford, IL, September 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1987, 08:02 local (13:02 UTC)
- Place: Rockford, IL
- Coordinates: 42.270473, -89.060607 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2705&lon=-89.0606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13658
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13658/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA219

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS ON A REPOSITIONING FLIGHT FROM KENOSHA, WISCONSIN TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AFTER HAVING BEEN WITHOUT SLEEP FOR ABOUT 20 HOURS. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING A SUBDIVISION NEAR ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS AT A LOW ALTITUDE, JUST ABOVE THE TREETOPS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, DESCRIBED AS 70-90 DEGREES, WHEN IT REVERSED DIRECTION INTO A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND DESCENDED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5850S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5850S-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N BA-720, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H-18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA720
- Airframe hours: 6716
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald W. Smith, doing business as Smith Air, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ronald W Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 27, 1987, 37 hours before
- Departed: ENW, KENOSHA, WI
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTA, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,200 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RFD, 7 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 19870922054249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870922054249A), Sep 22, 1987: Beech H18S, Rockford, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled in a steep reversal after buzzing a relatives home. Struck trees, roof top and ground.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.