# NTSB LAX98IA096: Beech 100, N236CP, Reno, NV, February 23, 1998

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1998, 06:01 local (14:01 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.47937, -119.740707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4794&lon=-119.7407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98IA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98IA096

## Probable cause

Ice formation around the elevator control cables due to plugged limbers and a water drain hole.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - elevator - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

Pilot encountered restricted elevator control in-flight and completed an uneventful precautionary landing.  During a postflight inspection, ice was found in the tail section of the aircraft which restricted the elevator control cables. The water drain and limber holes for this compartment were found plugged with debris.

## Factual narrative

On February 23, 1998, at 0601 hours Pacific standard time, the pilot of a Beech 100, N236CP, declared an emergency due to no elevator control.  The pilot returned to his departure point, made a low approach, and then landed safely at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada, with no aircraft damage or injury to the solo airline transport pilot.  The flight departed from Reno-Tahoe International and was being operated as an on-demand air charter.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a company flight plan had been filed.

During a postflight inspection, ice was observed in the tail section of the fuselage in an area that surrounds the elevator control cables.  The "limber" holes that allow water drainage from section to section in the lower fuselage structure were found plugged with fibers from abraded cargo packages.  Also, the dorsal fin drain hole for the entire compartment was found plugged with the same material.  (See sketch in Section 10.00 of this report.)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N236CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N236CP), registered now, S/N BE-9, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Beech 100
- Registry model: [Beech B100](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-b100) (registry code 1152919) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331-5&6SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-5-6ser) (registry code 01515, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BE-9
- Engines: Airesearch TPE331-5&6SER 776 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Victor Gonzales
- Registered owner: Medic Air Evac
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RNO, NV
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19980223037279I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980223037279I), Feb 23, 1998: Beech C90, Reno, NV. (-5) On February 23, 1998, at 0601 hours pacific standard time, the pilot of a Beech 100, N236CP, declared an emergency due to no elevator control. The pilot…

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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