# NTSB DEN91LA073: Beech D18-S, N44623, Englewood, CO, May 18, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1991, 17:57 local (23:57 UTC)
- Place: Englewood, CO
- Coordinates: 39.639461, -104.989189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6395&lon=-104.9892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA073

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY THE PILOT.  FACTORS WERE:  THE CROSS, FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO LOCK THE TAIL WHEEL, AND THE PILOT'S DISREGARD OF CROSSWIND LIMITATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - tailwheel lock - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

DURING A PART 135 OPERATION, THE PILOT TAXIED INTO POSITION, CHECKED THE TAIL WHEEL LOCKING LEVER, AND COMMENCED THE TAKEOFF RUN IN GUSTING WINDS. THE GUSTS EXCEEDED THE CROSS WIND LIMITS FOR THE AIRCRAFT.  THE TAIL WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST.  THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND DEPARTED THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44623](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44623-2017-10-06), registration cancelled 2017-10-06, S/N A-31, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH D18-S
- Registry model: [Beech D18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-d18s) (registry code 1151004) (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: A-31
- Engines: P&W R-985-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: W. W. Airtaxi, Inc.
- Registered owner: W. W. Airtaxi, Inc.
- Destination: MCI, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: APA, Centennial, runway 17, 10,001 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 835 in this make and model, 4,683 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910518016319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910518016319A), May 18, 1991: Beech D18S, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. Ground looped on takeoff roll in a strong gust quartering crosswind. Had neglected to insure tailwheel was locked.

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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