# NTSB CHI98LA003: Beech E18S, N916TM, Lake Elmo, MN, October 2, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 1997, 06:05 local (11:05 UTC) - Place: Lake Elmo, MN - Coordinates: 44.989299, -92.899826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.9893&lon=-92.8998&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10755 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10755/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA003 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure identify the unsafe condition (vortex turbulence) which existed due to departing airplane and his subsequent inability to control the airplane once encountering the turbulence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Vortex turbulence encountered, takeoff - initial climb - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - initial climb - terrain condition - grass - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off at 70 knots. After accelerating in ground effect the airplane became 'unstable in the roll axis' so he added power. He reported that the left wing tip contacted the runway approximately 3/4 the way down the runway. The pilot then added additional power at which point the left wing contacted the grass off the left side of the departure end of the runway. The pilot then reduced the power to idle and landed the airplane in the grass collapsing the landing gear. The pilot reported that the engines sounded normal throughout the accident sequence. Investigation revealed another Beech 18 had taken off on the same runway, but in the opposite direction of N916TM less than one minute prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 1997, at 0605 central daylight time, a Beech E18S, N916TM, operated by May Air Express, collided with the terrain during takeoff on runway 31 (2,850' x 75') at the Lake Elmo Airport, Lake Elmo, Minnesota, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. Neither the pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger on board were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was being flown to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to pick up a cargo load when the accident occurred. The airplane lifted off at 70 knots. He reported he allowed the airplane to accelerate in ground effect for several seconds after which time the airplane became "... unstable in the roll axis." He reported he added power as there was not enough runway left to land on. The airplane was 3/4 the way down the runway when the left wing tip touched the runway. He reported that at this point he added more power at which point the left wing tip contacted the terrain off the left side of the departure end of the runway causing the nose to pitch up. He then reduce the power to idle and the aircraft touched down in the grass collapsing the landing gear. The pilot stated that the airplane normally lifts off between 70 and 75 knots when it is light. In addition, he stated that the engines sounded normal during the accident sequence. An inspector from the Minneapolis, Minnesota, FAA Flight Standards District Office reported that another Beech 18 had taken off on the same runway, but in the opposite direction of N916TM less than one minute prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N916TM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N916TM-2005-10-06), registration cancelled 2005-10-06, S/N BA-337 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech E18S - Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (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: BA337 - Airframe hours: 10530 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: May Air Xpress - Registered owner: Scott R. Michaels - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 21D - Destination: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Airport: 21D, Lake Elmo, runway 31, 3,250 × 75 ft, macadam ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 4,450 total, 350 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: STP, 11 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 19971002038119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971002038119A), Oct 2, 1997: Beech E18S, St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Damaged due wake turbulence on take off for repositioning flight. (-23) after lift off, pilot gleason stated the aircraft felt to be wallowing and did not… 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.