# NTSB CHI88FA035: Beech 58, N3702K, Wedron, IL, December 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1987, 00:30 local (06:30 UTC)
- Place: Wedron, IL
- Coordinates: 41.45008, -88.759368 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4501&lon=-88.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA035

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED INTO A RIVER WHILE ATTEMPTING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING AFTER RUNNING OUT OF FUEL DURING A CARGO FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND UNDER WATER ON THE FIFTH DAY OF A SEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE CAP AFTER TWO BOYS FOUND DEBRIS FROM THE AIRPLANE ON THE RIVER BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3702K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3702K-1988-10-06), registration cancelled 1988-10-06, S/N TH1188 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 58
- Registry model: [Beech 58](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-58) (registry code 1152740) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TH-1188
- Airframe hours: 1260
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-CB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Husted-Mccaslin Air Charter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987, 92 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: MDW, CHICAGO, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; 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: 9,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark

## 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 19871218072129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871218072129A), Dec 18, 1987: Beech 58, Wedron, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Both engines feathered when aircraft crashed into river. Indicates fuel exhaustion aloft for fuel range.

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.