# NTSB NYC88LA152: Beech H18, N20PA, Utica, NY, June 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1988, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Utica, NY
- Coordinates: 43.139434, -75.149223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1394&lon=-75.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - 1 engine (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT HAD DEPARTED SYRACUSE AIRPORT ENROUTE TO PLATTSBURG, NEW YORK TRANSPORTING UPS PACKAGES. AT ABOUT 0810 HOURS, A LOSS OF POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE WAS EXPERIENCED AND ALTITUDE COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. THE PILOT INFORMED GRIFFISS CONTROL THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE THE ONEIDA NOR HANCOCK AIRPORTS AND WAS MAKING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON UNEVEN TERRAIN AND THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. DURING ENGINE TEARDOWN IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE NO.3 ROD AND PISTON HAD BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20PA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20PA-1991-01-28), registration cancelled 1991-01-28, S/N BA694 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH H18
- Registry model: [Beech H-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-h-18) (registry code 1151012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-694
- Airframe hours: 6867
- Engines: P&W R-985-AN14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Sair Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sair Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1988, 5 hours before
- Departed: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Destination: PLB, PLATTSBURG, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; 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: 8,019 total, 755 in this make and model, 5,892 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19880601019599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880601019599A), Jun 1, 1988: Beech H18, Utica, NY, Substantial damage. Lost power on left engine. Gear collapsed on forced landing. Other engine had failed connecting rod.

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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