# NTSB CHI92FA037: Beech G-18S, N38RM, West Chicago, IL, December 4, 1991 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 4, 1991, 04:05 local (10:05 UTC) - Place: West Chicago, IL - Coordinates: 41.880489, -88.219215 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8805&lon=-88.2192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 15275 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15275/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA037 ## Probable cause A RESULT OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AN IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION, AND IMPROPER REMEDIAL ACTION ONCE THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE PILOT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE INADEQUATE CARGO RESTRAINTS, LOOSE CARGO, AND IMPROPER SECURITY OF THE CARGO NOT OBSERVED BY THE PILOT. ADDITIONAL FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE THE INADEQUATE STANDARDS FOR AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY EMPLOYING AND OPERATING THE AIRPLANE. ## 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 - misc eqpt/furnishings,cargo restraints - inadequate (contributing factor) - security of cargo - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - acft/equip,inadequate standard/requirement, company/operator management (contributing factor) - cargo/baggage - loose (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - inattentive, pilot in command - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause) - inadequate training, company/operator management (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - snow covered - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - fence - object - other ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED SHE FELT THE TWIN ENGINED TAILWHEEL CARGO AIRPLANE YAW TO THE RIGHT DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED SHE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND SET DIFFERENTIAL POWER TO CORRECT FOR THE PERCEIVED RIGHT HAND CROSSWIND. AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF, IT MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND PERFORMED LEFT AND RIGHT BANKS LEVELING OFF PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE SLID THROUGH SECURITY FENCES AND A FUEL SUPPLY DEPOT BEFORE STOPPING. THE NEWSPAPER BUNDLE CARGO MOVED FROM THE TWO FORWARD BAYS TO THE AFT END OF THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THE NEWSPAPERS WERE COVERED WITH PLASTIC WRAPPER. THE CARGO COMPARTMENT FLOOR WAS SLIPPERY WHEN WALKED UPON AND HAD TRACES OF SNOW ON IT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE CARGO WAS COVERED BY A CARGO NET SECURED AT THE FORWARD END BUT NOT AT THE AFT END. TWO CARGO STRAPS WERE CRISSCROSSED OVER THE NET AND SECURED AT THE AFT END OF THE CARGO LOAD. THE LEFT THROTTLE WAS FOUND IN THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. THE RIGHT THROTTLE WAS FOUND ONE INCH AFT OF THE FULL FORWARD POSITION. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38RM-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N BA-574, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH G-18S - Registry model: [Beech G18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-g18s) (registry code 1151010) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BA-574 - Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Viking Express, doing business as Express, Inc. - Registered owner: P.B. Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, January 2, 2000 - Destination: CVG, COVINGTON, KY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DPA, Dupage County, runway 28, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,571 total, 330 in this make and model, 4,476 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Observed at: DPA, 1 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 19911204054219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911204054219A), Dec 4, 1991: Beech G18S, Chicago/West Ch, IL, Destroyed. Lost directional control on liftoff. Aborted and crashed. Aft cargo was unsecured,with slippery floor. ## Other investigations on N38RM (2) 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. - [NTSB CHI82DA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA316), Aug 31, 1982: Beech G18S (N38RM), Chicago, IL, substantial damage - [NTSB CHI78FA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI78FA017), Jan 11, 1978: Beech G-18S (N38RM), West Chicago, IL, substantial damage 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.