# NTSB LAX84LA401: Beech H18S, N21S, Honolulu, HI, July 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1984, 06:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.349519, -157.880874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3495&lon=-157.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24345
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA401
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24345/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA401

## 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
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL & 4,000 FT DOWN RWY 4R, THE RIGHT ENG LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HIS AIRSPEED WAS 105 MPH & THE RIGHT ENG 'POPPED' BEFORE IT LOST POWER. HE ALSO STATED THAT POWER ON THE LEFT ENG DETERIORATED AFTER THE THE RIGHT PROP WAS FEATHERED. THE ACFT WENT INTO A RIGHT BANK & THE PLT MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE ACFT UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO, AMERICAN BOSCH SB9RU-3, SER #B88470, WAS NOT TIMED CORRECTLY. DISASSEMBLY OF THE MAGNETO REVEALED THAT ALL EXCEPT 11 DISTRIBUTOR GEAR TEETH WERE STRIPPED OFF. AT THE TIME OF THE POWER LOSS OF THE RIGHT ENG, ABOUT 5,000 FT OF RWY WAS REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21S-1984-08-31), registration cancelled 1984-08-31, S/N BA690 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18S
- Registry model: [Beech H-18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18s) (registry code 1151001) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA690
- Airframe hours: 10511
- Engines: P&W R985AN143 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Pacific Air Express, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, July 5, 1984, 14 hours before
- Destination: LIH, LIHUE, HI
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Honolulu Intl, runway 4R, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,772 total, 99 in this make and model, 3,091 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HNL, 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 19840717059309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840717059309A), Jul 17, 1984: Beech H18S, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed. Crash occurred during forced landing in ocean. Magneto on right engine had all but 11 gear teeth stripped off.

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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