# NTSB MKC88LA174: Beech A23, N6917Q, Davenport, IA, September 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1988, 19:30 local (Sep 15, 1988, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Davenport, IA
- Location: 41.5236° N, 90.5776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Davenport, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5236&lon=-90.5776&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34642
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34642/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA174

## 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, cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - fouled (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - landing gear,main gear - sheared

## Analysis

THE PIC SAID THERE WAS A LOUD METALLIC EXPLOSION IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 7 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION APT AND BEGINNING A DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN VIBRATING VIOLENTLY AND THE WINDSHIELD BECAME COVERED WITH ENGINE OIL. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE BY THE CONTROL TOWER TO VECTOR THE ACFT TO THE AIRPORT, BUT THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE VISUAL CONTACT. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A LIGHTED CITY STREET. HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND BEYOND A POINT WHERE TRAFFIC WAS WAITING FOR A SIGNAL TO CHANGE, BUT AS HE PASSED BY THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS THE TRAFFIC BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD. HE APPLIED FULL FLAPS PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROL WHEEL, BALLOONED BACK INTO THE AIR, STRUCK SOME WIRES, THEN HIT THE TERRAIN AND SLID TO STOP, SIDEWAYS, MINUS THE LDG GEAR. THE GEAR HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A CONNECTING ROD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6917Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6917Q-1989-07-15), registration cancelled 1989-07-15, S/N MA277 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23-24) (registry code 1151226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MA 277
- Airframe hours: 1228
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A2B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Erickson Lane M.
- Registered owner: Erickson, Lane M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1987, 65 hours before
- Departed: Y49, WALKER, MN
- Destination: MLI, MOLINE, IL
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 53 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLI, 7 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 19880914038599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880914038599A), Sep 14, 1988: Beech A2324, Davenport, IA, Substantial damage. Engine quit, oil on windshield. Struck wires and crashed on a city street. Engine had thrown a rod through the case.

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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