# NTSB CHI88FA075: Beech E18S, N900WP, Warren, MI, March 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1988, 00:26 local (05:26 UTC)
- Place: Warren, MI
- Coordinates: 42.46912, -83.059646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4691&lon=-83.0596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal; on the ground: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - dispatch procedures - inadequate, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - poor, company/operator management (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS AN AIR TAXI CARGO FLT CARRYING TRUCK PARTS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE TWR ASKED THE PLT IF HE WAS IN DIFFICULTY AND THE PLT REPLIED 'ROGER' AND REQUESTED A CHANGE OF FLT PLAN. THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING ERRATICALLY JUST ABOVE THE TREE TOPS. THE ACFT DESCENDED ALMOST VERTICALLY INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA. THE REAR OF ONE HOME WAS IGNITED BY THE IMPACT AND 2 OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE WERE FATALLY BURNED. POST ACC INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO ENG MALFUNCTION BUT THERE WERE DISCREPANCIES IN THE LOAD MANIFEST AND THE ACFT WT & BALANCE. BEFORE TAKEOFF A CO EMPLOYEE WATCHED THE PLT SECURE THE CARGO WITH ROPES NETS & CLIPS BUT DID NOT HELP BECAUSE HE 'DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PLT WAS DOING.' IMPACT 'AMAGE PRECLUDED DETERMINATION OF THE ORIGINAL PLACEMENT AND SECURITY OF THE CARGO AND ANY POSSIBLE SHIFTING PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE NET WEIGHT ON THE CARGO MANIFEST DID NOT INCLUDE THE WT OF THE TRAYS TO HOLD THE PARTS. THIS WAS AN OMISSION OF 150 LBS. CO PERSONNEL SAID NO WT & BALANCE INFO WAS LEFT WITH THEM WHEN THE ACFT DEPARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N900WP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N900WP-1989-12-19), registration cancelled 1989-12-19, S/N BA298 (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: BA298
- Engines: P&W R-985-B14 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Lafayette Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 1, 1987, 121 hours before
- Departed: DET, DETROIT, MI
- Destination: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; 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: 1,764 total, 375 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 4 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 19880310004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880310004929A), Mar 10, 1988: Beech E18S, Detroit, MI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. 500 Lbs over gross and aft CG limits. Lost control and crashed into homes. Also cargo may have shifted aft.

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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