# NTSB DCA92MA048: Beech C-45H, N3657G, Hinckley, IL, September 7, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 1992, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Hinckley, IL - Coordinates: 41.760795, -88.640335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7608&lon=-88.6403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 12 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - NTSB case key (mKey): 15957 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA92MA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15957/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA92MA048 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - eng assembly,blower/impeller/integral supercharger - failure,total (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, company/operator management (cause) - maintenance,100-hour inspection - not performed, company/operator management (cause) - Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, company/operator management - propeller feathering - not attained (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency) - seat belt - not used, passenger ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3657G-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N AF-461 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH C-45H - Registry model: [Beech C-45H](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45h) (registry code 1151018) (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: AF461 - Airframe hours: 7780 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19920907038609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920907038609A), Sep 7, 1992: Beech C45H, Hinckley, IL, Destroyed, 12 fatal. Lost left engine on climbout. Below VMC. Lost control. Supercharger failed. Prop not full feather. AD not complied. ## Other investigations on N3657G (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 LAX84IA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84IA219), Mar 15, 1984: Beech C-45G (N3657G), Ontario, CA, incident, no damage - [NTSB FTW67D0442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0442), Feb 5, 1967: Beech C-45H (N3657G), Tulsa, OK, 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.