# NTSB LAX83LA427: Beech H18S, N2990F, Kailua-Kona, HI, September 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1983, 09:34 local (19:34 UTC)
- Place: Kailua-Kona, HI
- Location: 19.7524° N, 156.0506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ELLISON ONIZUKA KONA INTL AT KEAHOLE (KOA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7524&lon=-156.0506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 9 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA427
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA427

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - exhaust system,actuator - separation (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - propeller feathering - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABOUT 1 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, BETWEEN 400-500 FT MSL & DURING THE FIRST POWER REDUCTION, THE RIGHT ENG BACKFIRED. FOLLOWINGSOME MORE VIOLENT BACKFIRES THE RPM WENT TO ZERO. THE RIGHT ENG WAS RESTARTED BUT THE SAME RESULT OCCURRED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE RIGHT PROP BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE ACFT WAS THEN DELIBERATELY DITCHED TO AVOID AN OUTCROPPING OF LAVA. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 25-30 FT OF WATER. ENG INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYLINDER EXHAUST ROCKER ARM SHAFT, P/N45937, WAS MISSING. DRIVE TRAIN CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE. CENTRIFUGAL STOPS PREVENT FEATHERING OF THE PROP BELOW AN ENG SPEED OF 500 RPM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2990F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2990F-1984-02-25), registration cancelled 1984-02-25, S/N BA-753 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18S
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-75
- Airframe hours: 16873
- Engines: P&W R985-AN-14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Airtour Acquisition Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 26, 1983, 48 hours before
- Destination: OGG, HI
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KOA, Keahole

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,026 total, 2,960 in this make and model, 205 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KOA, 1 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 19830908047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830908047139A), Sep 8, 1983: Beech H18, Kailua Kona, HI, Destroyed. Right engine failed after takeoff, pilot was unable to feather prop and airplane was ditched in ocean.

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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