# NTSB MKC88FA072: Beech H18, N989B, Kansas City, MO, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 07:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Kansas City, MO
- Coordinates: 39.099395, -94.590393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0994&lon=-94.5904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34490
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34490/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88FA072

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, circling (ifr)
  - minimum descent altitude - below, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE CARGO FLT DPTD CINCINNATI ENRT TO WICHITA, KS WITH AN INTERMEDIATE STOP AT KANSAS CITY DTWN ARPT. THE FLT PROGRESSED NRMLY TO A VOR RWY 03 INSTRUMENT APCH, CIRCLING TO RWY 01. THE PIC HAD BEEN CLRD TO COMMENCE THE APCH. TWR PERS SUBSEQUENTLY ADVISED THE PIC OF A LOW ALTITUDE ALERT, TO WHICH THE PIC RESPONDED HE HAD GROUND CONTACT. THE PIC SUBSEQUENTLY DECLARED A MISSED APCH, THEN SAID, 'I GOT IT ALL RIGHT,' AND HE REQUESTED A 360 DEG TURN AND LDG ON RWY 01. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT APCH FM THE WEST AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THEN, WHILE OVER ARPT PROPERTY, THE ACFT TURNED SHARPLY. THE LEFT WING DROPPED QUICKLY AS THE ACFT BANKED NEARLY 90 DEGREES. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE RAMP AREA 400 FT RIGHT OF RWY 01, IN FRONT OF A FIXED BASE OPERATOR AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE ACFT SLID ABOUT 200 FT BEFORE COMING TOA STOP. THE COMPANY CHIEF PLT STATED THAT THE PIC WAS DEFICIENT IN VOR APPROACHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N989B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N989B-2013-09-12), registration cancelled 2013-09-12, S/N BA-632, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-632
- Airframe hours: 8443
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Ace Air Cargo, Inc
- Registered owner: Ace Air Cargo Express
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 1988, 47 hours before
- Departed: CIN, CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: MKC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MKC, Kansas City Downtown, runway 1, 7,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,140 total, 274 in this make and model, 1,877 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC

## 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 19880401007749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007749A), Apr 1, 1988: Beech H18, Kansas City, MO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Erratic altitude and headings on approach. Broke out stalled in low speed low altitude steep bank trying for runway

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.