# NTSB FTW96LA074: Beech 200, N231RL, Ingleside, TX, December 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 1995, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Ingleside, TX - Coordinates: 27.869808, -97.200218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8698&lon=-97.2002&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19728 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19728/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper decision, while evading law enforcement personnel during an illegal/unauthorized operation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - improper decision, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis Officials using a U.S. Customs aircraft intercepted a stolen airplane as it was landing. The Customs aircraft landed and blocked the single 4,996 foot runway. While the pilots of the stolen plane were attempting to takeoff to evade the law enforcement personnel, the airplane impacted a fence, crossed a ditch, and came to rest in a swamp. Two occupants of the stolen airplane were seen running from the plane. ## Factual narrative On December 18, 1995, at 1730 central standard time, a Beech B200, N231RL, was substantially damaged, during takeoff near Ingleside, Texas. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. The airplane was owned by R.A. Beeler Leasing Company, of Carrizo Springs, Texas, and operated by Western Airways Inc., of Houston, Texas. The airplane was stolen from the West Houston Airport at 1600. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. According to U.S. Customs officials, the operator's chief mechanic reported the aircraft stolen as soon as the airplane was broken into by the two occupants. A U.S. Customs airplane was vectored to intercept the stolen airplane. The owner of the airplane reported there was approximately 800 pounds of fuel aboard at the time the airplane was stolen. The airplane was intercepted as it was landing at the T.P. McCampbell Airport, near Ingleside, Texas. The Customs aircraft landed and blocked the single 4,996 foot runway. While attempting to takeoff to evade law enforcement personnel, the airplane impacted a fence, crossed a ditch, and came to rest in a swamp. The two occupants of the airplane jumped out and ran. The pilot's son was captured, but the pilot was not apprehended. The following items were found in the airplane: bolt cutters, 2 masks, loaded weapons, the pilot's wallet, and charts and maps indicating that the planned destination of the flight was near Cartagena, Colombia. The nose landing gear collapsed, the left wing sustained structural damage, and the pressure bulkhead was punctured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N231RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N231RL-1997-04-09), registration cancelled 1997-04-09, S/N BB868 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech 200 - Registry model: [Beech B200](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b200) (registry code 1152922) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: BB-868 - Engines: P&W PT6A 750 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: R.A. Beeler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IWS, WEST HOUSTON, TX - Destination: KCTG, CARTAGENA, OF - Airport: T43, T.P. Campbell, runway 31, 4,996 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast ## 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 19951218041689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951218041689A), Dec 18, 1995: Beech B200, Ingleside, TX, Substantial damage. Customs aircraft blocked takeoff of stolen aircraft. N231RL veered off runway thru a fence into swamp. Pilot ran. 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.