# NTSB FTW84FA086: Beech D18S, N44609, Brownsville, TX, December 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1983, 20:10 local (Dec 6, 1983, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Coordinates: 25.919162, -97.479721 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9192&lon=-97.4797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF AT NIGHT ON A FLT TO MEXICO WHEN HE DECLARED AN INTENT TO RETURN & LAND WITH SOME UNSPECIFIED EMERGENCY. WHILE HE WAS USING HIS RADIO, THE SOUND OF BOTH ENGS, RUNNING AT HI POWER, WAS AUDIBLE. WHEN ASKED IF HE REQUIRED ASSISTANCE, HE GAVE AN AFFIRMATIVE REPLY, BUT WHEN ASKED IF HE REQUIRED A CRASH CREW, HE GAVE A NEGATIVE REPLY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES ABOUT 1 MI FROM THE RWY, THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. IMPACT WITH THE POWER LINES OCCURRED AT ABOUT 55 FT AGL. A WIRE IMPACT MARK ON THE NOSE DOOR INDICATED THE ACFT WAS IN A VERTICAL BANK WHEN THE COLLISION OCCURRED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM FIRE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE ACFT WAS LOADED BEYOND ITS MAX CERTIFICATED GROSS WT. THE PLT HAD A TEMPORARY U.S. LICENSE BASED ON HIS CANADIAN LICENSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44609](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44609-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N A-17, built 1945 (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: A17
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Isabel Castillo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: TORREON
- Airport: BRO, Brownsville Int'L, runway 13R, 7,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; foreign, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 16,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO, 2 nm away

## 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 19831205059589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831205059589A), Dec 5, 1983: Beech D18S, Brownsville, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft hit powerlines and crashed attempting to return to airport shortly after departure.

## Other investigations on N44609 (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 FTW68A0014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68A0014), Aug 5, 1967: Beech D18S (N44609), Dallas, TX, 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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