# NTSB DEN85LA221: Beech E18S, N44N, Billings, MT, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 23:20 local (Aug 16, 1985, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.650299, -108.37989 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6503&lon=-108.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA221

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - engine installation,suspension mounts - overload
  - engine installation,suspension mounts - failure,partial
  - proper altitude - not possible, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - light condition - dark night
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ENCOUNTERED A 'WIND DRAFT' AND THE ACFT WAS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING. THE RT ENG MOUNT FAILED AND THE RT ENG WAS DEFLECTED DOWNWARD. PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE WELDED CLUSTER ENG MOUNT REVEALED EVIDENCE OF AN OVERLOAD TYPE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44N-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N BA-109, built 1955 (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: BA109
- Airframe hours: 12624
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Sky Freighter, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1985, 46 hours before
- Departed: HLN, HELENA, MT
- Destination: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,525 total, 8,352 in this make and model, 18,300 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 52 °F

## 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 19850815041609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815041609A), Aug 15, 1985: Beech E18S, Billings, MT, Substantial damage. Welded cluster tube of motor support broke on flight near thunderstorm. Engine canted downwards. Emergency landing.

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.

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