Accident Beechcraft RC-45J N11249,
ASN logo
ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 372375
 
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information. If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.

Date:Wednesday 19 August 1987
Time:20:00 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic BE18 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Beechcraft RC-45J
Owner/operator:Frank Bell
Registration: N11249
MSN: 23801
Engine model:P&W R-985
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Houston, TX -   United States of America
Phase: Landing
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Houston, TX (T17)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS, ALMOST TO A FULL STOP, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. HE HAD ASKED A COMMERCIAL PILOT TO ACCOMPANY HIM ON THIS FLIGHT. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE FOURTH LANDING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WENT SLIGHTLY OFF THE LEFT EDGE OF THE RUNWAY AND WHEN THE PLT CORRECTED, THE AIRCRAFT SEEMED TO JUMP OR BOUNCE AND ENTERED A SKID TO THE RIGHT WHICH WAS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE TAIL WHEEL WAS FOUND IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION AND WAS SWIVELED TO A POSITION FOR A HARD RIGHT TURN EVEN THOUGH THE LOCKING PIN WAS IN THE LOCKED POSITION. APPARENTLY THE TAIL WHEEL BECAME UNLOCKED DURING OR AFTER THE THIRD LANDING DUE TO EXCESS WEAR ON THE PIN AND/OR THE PIN HOLE AND BECAME COCKED SO THAT DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL TOUCHED DOWN.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: FTW87LA205
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 1 year and 2 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB FTW87LA205

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
26-Mar-2024 16:25 ASN Update Bot Added

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org