# NTSB FTW82FPA11: Beech D18S, N8517Z, Dallas, TX, February 26, 1982 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: February 25, 1982, 22:00 local (Feb 26, 1982, 04:00 UTC) - Place: Dallas, TX - Coordinates: 32.870243, -97.249771 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8702&lon=-97.2498&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 25, 1983 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 70394 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FPA11 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70394/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPA11 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor) - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - inoperative (contributing factor) - flight/nav instruments,altimeter - undetermined (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - Loss of engine power, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - miscellaneous - foreign object damage (contributing factor) - Forced landing, landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING A NIGHT, ILS APPROACH, THE PLANE STRUCK A POWERLINE ABOUT TWO MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AFTER THE PILOT WAS PROVIDED A LOW ALTITUDE ALERT. THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER AND WAS FEATHERED. THE PILOT FEARED POSSIBLE GEAR DAMAGE AND LEFT IT EXTENDED. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE, THE PLANE CRASHED BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED ICE ACCUMULATING ON HIS WINDSHIELD DURING THE DESCENT, BUT STATED HE COULD SEE QUITE WELL THROUGH THE LEFT QUARTER. HE STATED HE WAS FLYING THE APPROACH WITH A GLIDE SLOPE INDICATION OF ONE DOT HIGH WHEN HE LEVELED OFF WITH AN ALTITUDE INDICATION OF ABOUT 800 FT MSL. BEFORE CRASHING, THE PILOT REPLIED TO AN ATC QUERY THAT HE WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, HAD THE RUNWAY IN SIGHT, HAD ICE ON HIS WINDSHIELD, AND HIS GLIDESLOPE WAS NOT WORKING. A CHECK OF THE GLIDE SLOPE RECEIVER REVEALED IT WAS INOPERATIVE WITH A ONE DOT HIGH INDICATION. THE ALTIMETERS WERE CHECKED AND SHOWED ONLY A 70 FT DIFFERENCE. ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 596 FT MSL. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8517Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8517Z-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N A-352, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BEECH D18S - 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 352 - Airframe hours: 12005 - Engines: P&W R-985 985 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Jim Billingsley - Registered owner: Jim Billingsley - Departed: AUSTIN, TX - Destination: DALLAS, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: DFW, Dallas Airport, runway 35R, 11,388 × 200 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,284 total, 240 in this make and model, 9,051 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 304° at 11 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast - Temperature: 99 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ATIS ## 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 19820225001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820225001069A), Feb 25, 1982: Beech D18S, Dallas, TX, Substantial damage. Glide slope not indicating properly. Aircraft struck wire short of runway and crashed during instrument approach. ## Other investigations on N8517Z (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 ATL85FA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA054), Dec 13, 1984: Beech D18S (N8517Z), Norfolk, VA, destroyed 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.