# NTSB SEA87LA105: Beech BE18, N503CW, Glenns Ferry, ID, May 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1987, 19:01 local (May 30, 1987, 01:01 UTC)
- Place: Glenns Ferry, ID
- Coordinates: 43.090232, -115.37088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0902&lon=-115.3709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA105

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - flight control,elevator attachment - worn (contributing factor)
  - flight control,elevator attachment - overload (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - foreign substance covered (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE AT CRZ, PLT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, EXPERIENCED ELEVATOR CONTROL DIFFICULTIES AND YOKE VIBRATIONS. PLT DECLARED EMERG, REQUESTED VECTOR TO CLOSEST AIRPORT. MTN HOME AFB RAPCON GAVE VECTOR TO GLENNS FERRY AIRPORT. ON APPROACH, PLT SIGHTED LARGE 'X' MARKS ON RWY, INDICATING AIRPORT CLOSED, BUT DUE NATURE OF EMERG, ELECTED TO CONTINUE. DUE CONDITIONS OF DUSK, PLT DID NOT SIGHT OBSTRUCTIONS (LARGE DIRT MOUNDS) ON RWY UNTIL COMMITTED. PLT ATTEMPTED TO STEER CLEAR ON T/D AND ROLL, BUT UNABLE; COLLIDED WITH ONE OR MORE BEFORE COMING TO REST. INVEST REVEALED ELEV TAB CONTROL ROD END HAD TORN FREE OF TAB HORN. HORN SHOWED EVIDENCE OF PREVIOUS WEAR NECESSITATING OVERSIZE BEARING. CONTINUED WEAR REDUCED CROSS-SECTION; UNABLE TO WITHSTAND TURB-INDUCED FLT LOADS. MTN HOME AFB NOT ON CLASS B NOTAM DIST AT TIME OF MISHAP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N503CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N503CW-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N AF196 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH BE18
- Registry model: [Beech C-45G](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c-45g) (registry code 1151014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AF196
- Airframe hours: 6891
- Engines: P&W R985AB14B 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Majestic Airlines, Inc.
- Registered owner: Majestic Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BOI, BOISE, ID
- Destination: TWF, TWIN FALLS, ID
- Airport: U89, Glenns Ferry Municipal, runway 8, 3,200 × 190 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,775 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOU, 20 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 19870529017359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870529017359A), May 29, 1987: Beech C45G, Glenns Ferry, ID, Substantial damage. After hitting extreme turbulence the elevator trim tab horn broke. Tried to land on closed runway and hit dirt mound

## Other investigations on N503CW (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI65F0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI65F0012), Jan 8, 1965: Beechcraft C-45G (N503CW), Indianapolis, IN, substantial damage

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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