# NTSB SEA88IA017: Beech E18S, N25SM, Reno, NV, November 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1987, 17:30 local (Nov 12, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Location: 39.5296° N, 119.8138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Reno, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5296&lon=-119.8138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40737
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88IA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40737/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88IA017

## 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
  - lubricating system - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - engine assembly - overtemperature
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fire extinguishing equipment - initiated, pilot in command
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, AND AFTER THE LANDING GEAR WAS RAISED, THE PILOT NOTICED AN OVER-TEMPERATURE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE. A POWER REDUCTION WAS MADE AND AFTERWARDS SYMPTOMS OF A COMPRESSOR STALL OCCURRED. THE PILOT THEN SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENGINE. A 180 DEGREE TURN WAS MADE. DURING THE TURN THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE WITH FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE AREA. THE RIGHT FIRE BOTTLE WAS DISCHARGED BUT THE FIRE CONTINUED. WHEN THE LANDING GEAR WAS LOWERED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SNAP RING TO THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE RELIEF VALVE WAS MISSING. THE RIGHT ENGINE OIL TEMPERATURE RELIEF VALVE WAS FOUND ON THE FLOOR OF THE ENGINE NACELLE. THE RT ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 1.8 HOURS PRIOR TO THIS FLT DUE TO FOD. ENGINE OIL HAD ESCAPED AFTER THE RELIEF VALVE SEPARATED. OIL HAD ACCUMULATED IN THE WHEEL WELL, WING AND ENG NACELLE. THE OIL WAS IGNITED, FEEDING THE INFLIGHT FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25SM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25SM-1991-05-01), registration cancelled 1991-05-01, S/N BA154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E18S
- Registry model: [Beech E18S](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e18s) (registry code 1151007) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: BA-154
- Airframe hours: 9696
- Engines: P&W PT6-6A 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Union Flights
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: SFO, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 34, 8,500 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,964 total, 403 in this make and model, 2,756 as pilot in command, 213 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19871111068039I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871111068039I), Nov 11, 1987: Beech STC18BEECH, Reno, NV, Minor damage. Lost right engine on takeoff and smoke in cabin. Returned. Oil cooler relief valve fell out. Oil caught fire.

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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