# NTSB FTW85LA142: Beech E18S, N352B, Pharr, TX, March 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1985, 06:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Pharr, TX
- Coordinates: 26.180246, -98.180061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1802&lon=-98.1801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21691
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21691/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA142

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not possible
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF AT ABOUT 0600 CST ON A LOCAL TEST FLT FOLLOWING AN ENG CHANGE. HE RECEIVED A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE FROM THE CONTROL TOWER, BUT DID NOT OBTAIN AN IFR CLEARANCE.AT 0605, THE WX AT MCALLEN, TX WAS IN PART: 500 FT OBSCURED, VISIBILITY 2 MI, WIND FROM 100 DEGS AT 4 KTS. WHILE IN FLT, AN ENG LOST POWER & THE PROP WOULD NOT FEATHER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A SOFT PLOWED FIELD & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N352B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N352B-2017-06-08), registration cancelled 2017-06-08, S/N BA-444, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151006) (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: BA-444
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Gabacho Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MFE, MCALLEN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE, 12 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 19850310008419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850310008419A), Mar 10, 1985: Beech E18S, Pharr, TX, Destroyed. Special VFR clearance to test engine. Aircraft landed in field after engine seized. PIC and operator uncooperative.

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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