- Date
- September 7, 1992, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place
- Hinckley, IL
- Injuries
- 12 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N3657GBeech C-45H
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 30, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Major Investigations Division
- FAA report
- 19920907038609A
- Case key
- 15957
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
Inadequate maintenance and inspection by the operator which resulted in an engine power loss during the critical takeoff phase of flight. In addition, the pilot did not, or was unable to, attain a full-feather position on the left engine propeller, which would have most likely enabled the airplane to sustain minimum control airspeed.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
After takeoff, the airplane was seen at low altitude trailing smoke from the left engine. Witnesses saw the wings 'tipping' back and forth, then a wing dropped and hit the ground. Examination revealed that a supercharger bearing had failed in the left engine. The left engine had been recently installed by non-certificated personnel after being inactive for 18 yrs without preservation. The airplane had flown about 184 hrs since the last annual inspection; no record of subsequent 100-HR inspection. The left prop blades were found in an intermediate position between the operating range and the feathered position. The left prop was changed several weeks prior to the accident. There is no evidence that the left prop had ever been successfully cycled to the full feather position. The operator and pilots were not aware of hamilton standard sb 657 recommending full-feather checks every 30 days. Left prop feathering motor relays not recovered. All 11 parachutists were found in center part of fuselage; no evidence of restraint useage.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3657G
- Reported as
- Beech C-45H
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- AF461
- Airframe hours
- 7,780
- Engine
- P&W R-985-AN-14B, 450 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Skydiving · Part 91
- Operator
- Exa, Incorporated
- Registered owner
- Exa, Incorporated
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · April 27, 1992
- Departed
- OC2
- Destination
- OC2
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 54
- Certificate
- Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 3,030 total · 867 in this make and model · 2,705 as pilot in command · 240 in the last 90 days · 190 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 180° at 12 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 3,300 ft broken
- Temperature
- 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- DPA, 18 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.
Other investigations on N3657G · 2
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.