# NTSB CHI95LA218: Beech C24R, N67100, Freeport, IL, July 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1995, 22:40 local (Jul 12, 1995, 03:40 UTC) - Place: Freeport, IL - Coordinates: 42.28973, -89.63005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2897&lon=-89.6300&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9940 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9940/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA218 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not installed - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command - object - runway light ## Analysis THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED MOLINE WITHOUT OBTAINING A WEATHER BRIEFING OR CURRENT NOTAMS APPLICABLE TO HIS FLIGHT. UPON ARRIVAL AT THE FREEPORT AIRPORT, HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRPORT'S ONLY ASPHALT RUNWAY WAS CLOSED. THIS LEFT ONLY THE TWO GRASS RUNWAYS FOR USE. THE PILOT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. HE REPORTED THAT IN PREPARATION FOR THE RETURN FLIGHT, HE PERFORMED A WEIGHT AND BALANCE AS WELL AS TAKEOFF CALCULATIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT ALL CALCULATIONS WERE WITHIN LIMITS. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY IN GROUND EFFECT, SO HE DECIDED TO ABORT. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A REFLECTOR STAND. NEITHER GRASS RUNWAY HAD LIGHTING; THEY ONLY HAD REFLECTORS. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1995, at 2240 central daylight time, a Beech C24R, N67100, operated by Elliott Flying Service of Moline, Illinois, was substantially damaged while attempting to take off from a sod runway at Freeport-Albertus Airport, Freeport, Illinois. The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight originated from Quad City Airport, Moline, Illinois, at 1610 on a VFR flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that his boss had called him at home and wanted him to come to the airport right away for a flight. The pilot stated that he always obtains a full preflight briefing before each flight, but to save time, he trusted his boss to do so this one time. The pilot stated that when he arrived at the airport, he did not ask for a briefing from his boss regarding the weather, notams, or any other information. The passengers were boarded, and they departed en route to Freeport. The pilot stated that at approximately ten miles from Freeport, he tried numerous times to request the active runway over the unicom frequency, but he received no reply. So once he arrived at the airport, the pilot decided to overfly the airport to determine the active runway. The pilot stated that it was at this time that he saw that the asphalt runway was closed leaving only the two grass runways for use. It was also at this time that a response finally came over the unicom announcing runway 18 (2500' x 200') was in use. The pilot landed on runway 18. The pilot reported that in preparation for the return flight, he performed a weight and balance as well as takeoff performance calculations. The pilot stated that all calculations were "within the envelope." He reported that it was now dark and he had not noticed that the neither of the grass runways had lighting until he was ready to takeoff. They only had reflectors. The pilot stated that he decided to takeoff on runway 13 (2250' x 150). The passengers were boarded, the airplane was started and back taxied on runway 13 for takeoff. The pilot stated he performed an engine run-up and everything was normal. He applied maximum power for takeoff and began the takeoff roll. The pilot stated the "aircraft did not accelerate properly in ground effect, takeoff aborted." The airplane exited the side of the runway and impacted a reflector stand. No preimpact mechanical abnormalities were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: N67100 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BEECH C24R - Category: Airplane - Serial number: MC710 - Airframe hours: 4364 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Elliott Flying Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 11, 1995, 85 hours before - Departed: FEP - Destination: MLI, MOLINE, IL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FEP, Albertus Airport, runway 13, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,447 total, 245 in this make and model, 1,147 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RFD, 21 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 19950711030349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950711030349A), Jul 11, 1995: Beech C24R, Freeport, IL, Substantial damage. Tried to depart short sod strip. Aborted late due poor acceleration. Ran off runway impacted reflector stand. (-23) on July 11, 1995, at 2240 CDT a be 24,… 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.