# NTSB FTW74AF017: Beech E18S, N50JR, Natchitoches, LA, September 20, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 20, 1973
- Place: Natchitoches, LA · NATCHITOCHES, LA
- Location: 31.7348° N, 93.1007° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Natchitoches, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7348&lon=-93.1007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 188001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW74AF017
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF017

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3541  73/9/20    NATCHITOCHES,LA     BEECH E18S          CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 2245                    N50JR               PX-  5  0  0  AIR TAXI-PASSG            57, 14290 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            2190 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NATCHITOCHES MUNI
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          NATCHITOCHES,LA             DALLAS,TEX                   SHERMAN,TEX
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID OBJECTS OR OBSTRUCTIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           WEATHER - FOG
           WEATHER - OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          HAZE                                                      69
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          CALM                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
        REMARKS- PLT HAD SEV CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.RAN FRM MOTEL TO NEAR ARPT,ABT 3MI.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50JR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50JR-1973-11-20), registration cancelled 1973-11-20, S/N BA-176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Natchitoches Muni

## 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 19730920032929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730920032929A), Sep 20, 1973: Beech TC45G, Natchitoches, LA, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Plt had sev coronary artery disease. Ran frm motel to near arpt,abt 3MI.

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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