# NTSB MIA83LA198: Beech H-18, N18AW, Elgin Afb, FL, August 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1983, 09:48 local (14:48 UTC)
- Place: Elgin Afb, FL
- Coordinates: 30.459892, -86.539978 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4599&lon=-86.5400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT 'SNAPPED' TO THE RIGHT & ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. DURING A SUBSEQUENT GROUND LOOP, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. AN EXAM OF THE FRACTURE WAS MADE, BUT NO SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING WAS EVIDENT. ALSO, NO PRE-ACCIDENT/MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18AW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H-18
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA 644
- Airframe hours: 5989
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Mark H. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 2, 1983, 21 hours before
- Departed: 6A0, CARTERSVILLE, GA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: VPS, Elgin Afb, runway 19, 12,000 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,035 total, 3,020 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VPS

## 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 19830808039919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830808039919A), Aug 8, 1983: Beech H18, Elgin Afb, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped during landing roll causing axle fork to break from overload.

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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