Beechcraft E18

Pleasant Financing Company

Operator:

Registration:

N39A

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Honolulu - Van Nuys

MSN:

BA-115

YOM:

1955

Location:

Kahului

Hawaii

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

16640

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was performing a ferry flight from Honolulu to Van Nuys, California. While cruising along the coast of the Maui Island, both engines failed simultaneously. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, he ditched the aircraft 22 miles offshore. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure in flight following a fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Pilot became lost/disoriented,
- HF communication inoperative.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Cheyenne

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1974 at 2346 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Great Western Airlines

Registration:

N40K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Riverton - Cheyenne - Denver

MSN:

BA-160

YOM:

1956

Location:

Cheyenne

Wyoming

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3300

Captain / Total hours on type:

900.00

Circumstances:

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a cargo flight from Riverton to Denver with an intermediate stop in Cheyenne. After touchdown on a wet/slushy runway, the pilot realized it was difficult to decelerate properly and decided to make a go-around. This decision was taken too late so the airplane departed far down the runway. After liftoff, the twin engine airplane struck an electric pole and several trees before crashing in a small lake. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Ice/slush on runway and hydroplaning on wet runway. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Delayed in initiating go-around,
- Unfavorable wind conditions,
- Selected wrong runway relative to existing wind,
- High obstructions,
- No effective braking on roll out,
- Hit poles and trees on go-around,
- Aircraft man-no crosswind limits chart.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Pittsburgh: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1973 at 0333 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Wyman Pilot Services

Registration:

N387B

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pittsburgh - Pontiac

MSN:

BA-410

YOM:

1959

Location:

Pittsburgh-Intl

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13600

Captain / Total hours on type:

3700.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after a night takeoff from Pittsburgh-Intl Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height then stalled and crashed in flames by the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the crew. The following factors were reported:
- Misused or failed to use flaps,
- Failed to abort takeoff,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Failed to use all available runway,
- Failed to retract landing gear,
- Takeoff from intersection with 4,400 feet remaining,
- Flaps full down.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Muscatine: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1973 at 2200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N262AA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Des Moines - Chicago

MSN:

BA-370

YOM:

1958

Location:

Muscatine

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8305

Captain / Total hours on type:

2830.00

Circumstances:

While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Des Moines to Chicago, the pilot encountered engine problems and decided to divert to Muscatine for an emergency landing. Due to lack of visibility, he was unable to locate the runway and completed three low passes then started an approach to runway 12. On final, the airplane struck the ground and crashed about 1,245 feet short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight. The following factors were reported:
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Improper operation or failed to use anti-icing and deicing equipment,
- Carburetor icing,
- Failed to maintain flying speed,
- Conditions conducive to carburetor / induction system icing,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Partial loss of power on both engines,
- Airport Manager heard the aircraft making three low passes as though attempting NDB approach to runway 05,
- Hit ABT 1,245 feet before runway 12.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Natchitoches: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1973 at 2245 LT

Type of aircraft:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Operator:

Robert Airways

Registration:

N50JR

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Natchitoches - Dallas

MSN:

BA-176

YOM:

1956

Location:

Natchitoches

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

14290

Captain / Total hours on type:

2190.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Natchitoches Airport by night and in foggy conditions, the airplane failed to gain sufficient height when it struck a tree located 590 feet past the runway end and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Crew:
Robert N. Elliott, pilot.
Passengers:
Jim Croce, singer,
Maury Muehleisen, musician,
George Stevens, comedian,
Kenneth D. Cortese, manager,
Dennis Rast, manager.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to see and avoid objects or obstructions (trees) after a night takeoff. The following factors were reported:
- Physical impairment,
- Fog, haze,
- Obstructions to vision,
- High obstructions,
- The pilot had severe coronary artery disease and ran from motel to near airport, about three miles.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Longview: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 31, 1973 at 0200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N73JB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Dallas - Longview

MSN:

BA-218

YOM:

1956

Location:

Longview

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5600

Captain / Total hours on type:

2600.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Longview Airport by night, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. On final, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames 1,75 mile short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with trees on final approach after the pilot misjudged distance and altitude. The following factors were reported:
- High obstructions,
- Pilot fatigue,
- Hit trees 32 feet agl 1,75 mile from airport,
- Pilot had landing lights on and gear down.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S in Davenport: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1973 at 1704 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N310WA

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Muscatine - Davenport - Chicago

MSN:

BA-12

YOM:

1954

Location:

Davenport

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6000

Captain / Total hours on type:

2000.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Davenport Airport, the right wing detached. The twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an open field located few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all six occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Structural failure of the right wing on descent due to fatigue cracks. The following factors were reported:
- Airframe, wings spars,
- Fatigue fracture,
- Inadequate inspection of aircraft on part of the maintenance personnel,
- Preexisting crack on lower spar cap WS-81 that was discernible but not detected over a 6-year period,
- Right wing folded upward.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Treasure Cay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1973 at 1240 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Goldways

Registration:

N5000J

Flight Phase: