Walker's International Airlines

Beechcraft G18S

The pilot stated that start, taxi and takeoff were normal until after he raised the gear handle and the aircraft was climbing thru approximately 150 to 200 feet agl. At that time, he noticed that the left engine rpm was decaying. There was insufficient runway remaining to abort, so he elected to feather the left engine and continue the takeoff. The left prop stopped rotating before it feathered. With additional drag from the left prop, the aircraft would not climb or maintain level flight. The pilot was able to fly the aircraft over buildings and other obstacles (up to 75 feet tall) near the airport boundary. Just beyond these obstacles, the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. There was a small post-impact fire near the accessory section of the right engine. An exam and teardown of the left engine revealed that an impeller shaft bearing, Pratt & Whitney part number 288943, had failed and allowed the impeller to rub against the diffuser. No other preimpact failures were found. The pilot, sole on board, was slightly injured.

Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor

While cruising along the west coast of Florida on a cargo flight from Kingston to Tampa, the pilot informed ATC about an engine fire and elected to divert to Sarasota-Bradenton Airport for an emergency landing. On approach, the pilot realized he could not make it so he landed the airplane in a prairie. The aircraft rolled for few dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. While the pilot escaped uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.