# NTSB FTW93LA001: Beech D18S, N90460, Brookston, TX, October 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1992, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Brookston, TX
- Coordinates: 33.660869, -95.729034 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6609&lon=-95.7290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 17, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA001

## Probable cause

SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S). FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - smoke (cause)
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - object - fence
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. SUSPECTING A FIRE, HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN AN OPEN PASTURE. THE PASTURE WAS WET AND SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL MAKING BRAKING INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITH THE LEFT WING, SPINNING THE AIRPLANE 180 DEG INTO A FENCE ROW. NO EVIDENCE OF AN INFLIGHT FIRE WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90460](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N90460), registered now, S/N A-937, built 1958 (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: 937
- Airframe hours: 4610
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Burchinal, Issac N., Jr.
- Registered owner: Burchinal, Issac N., Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1992, 2 hours before
- Departed: 40F, BROOKSTON, TX
- Destination: 40F

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 26,000 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19921001040059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921001040059A), Oct 1, 1992: Beech D18S, Brookston, TX, Substantial damage. Noticed black smoke from left engine on climbout. Landed in pasture. Unable stop due wet grass. Struck a tree.

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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