# NTSB MKC83LA010: Beech E17L, N15846, Mcconnell Afb, KS, October 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1982, 17:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Mcconnell Afb, KS
- Location: 37.6231° N, 97.2676° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MC CONNELL AFB (IAB), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6231&lon=-97.2676&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA010

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - door,passenger - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

AS THE AIRCRAFT ACCELERATED THROUGH 40 MPH DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, A PASSENGER ADVISED THE PILOT THAT THE CABIN DOOR WAS UNLOCKED. THE PILOT REDUCED THE ENGINE POWER TO IDLE, REACHED BACK AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WHILE LATCHING THE DOOR, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15846](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15846), registered now, S/N 89, built 1936 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E17L
- Registry model: [Beech C17L](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c17l) (registry code 1150518) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs L4 /R755-7](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-l4-r755-7) (registry code 35003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 89
- Airframe hours: 1461
- Engines: JACOBS L-4 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles O. Kanga
- Registered owner: Charles O. Kanga
- Departed: IAB, MCCONNELL AFB, KS
- Destination: K50, DERBY, KS
- Airport: IAB, Mcconnell Afb, runway 18, 12,000 × 0 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,557 total, 386 in this make and model, 2,396 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19821016053269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821016053269A), Oct 16, 1982: Beech E17L, Wichita, KS, Substantial damage. Passenger door came open during takeoff, pilots attention diverted and lost directional control.

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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