# NTSB FTW82DA093: Beech C-45H, N9846Z, Mcallen, TX, March 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1982, 20:19 local (Mar 15, 1982, 02:19 UTC)
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.210567, -98.229171 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2106&lon=-98.2292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71615
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71615/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA093

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ABOUT 18 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RADIOED THAT THE NO. 2 ENGINE HAD LOST POWER AND THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO LAND AT MCALLEN, TX. WHILE APPROACHING TO LAND, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD ABOUT 400 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND 115 FEET RIGHT OF THE APPROACH LIGHTS. DURING IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE, IN ABOUT A 150 DEGREE RIGHT ROLL AND 15 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. AFTER IMPACT, AN INTENSE FIRE ERUPTED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE EXCEPT THAT THE RIGHT PROPELLER BLADES WERE SET AT 65 DEGREES. THE ANGLE OF THE BLADES SHOULD HAVE BEEN 86 DEGREES WHEN IN THE FULL FEATHERED POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 753 LBS OVER ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT LIMIT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND FLAPS UP, THE VMC WAS CALCULATED TO BE 92 MPH WITH THE PROPELLER WINDMILLING AND 87 MPH WITH THE PROPELLER FEATHERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9846Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9846Z-2013-03-21), registration cancelled 2013-03-21, S/N AF-397 (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: AF-397
- Airframe hours: 4544
- Engines: P & W R-985-14B 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Robert Ramos
- Registered owner: Robert Ramos
- Departed: MFE, MCALLEN, TX
- Destination: VERACRUZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MFE, Miller International, runway 13, 7,103 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,992 total, 614 in this make and model, 3,995 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 174 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MF3

## 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 19820314056759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820314056759A), Mar 14, 1982: Beech C45G, Mcallen, TX, Destroyed. Rolled inverted on single engine emergency landing. Impact short of runway. Over gross, failed to feather propeller

## Other investigations on N9846Z (1)

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 DEN68F0001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68F0001), May 26, 1967: Beech C-45 (N9846Z), Saratoga, WY, 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.

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