N131E

Just after liftoff at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, the right engine lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane stalled, struck the ground and crashed in flames. A passenger was killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Flight / Schedule

N131E

Registration

N131E

MSN

2503

Year of Manufacture

1943

Operator

BBR Drilling

Date

October 13, 1966 at 05:08 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Private

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Wheeling West Virginia

Region

North America • United States of America

Coordinates

40.0640°, -80.7209°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On October 13, 1966 at 05:08 PM, N131E experienced a crash involving Lockheed 18 LodeStar, operated by BBR Drilling, with the event recorded near Wheeling West Virginia.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

5 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 20.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Just after liftoff at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, the right engine lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane stalled, struck the ground and crashed in flames. A passenger was killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration N131E, MSN 2503, year of manufacture 1943.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 40.0640°, -80.7209°.

Fatalities

Total

1

Crew

0

Passengers

1

Other

0

Crash Summary

Just after liftoff at Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, the right engine lost power. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when control was lost. The airplane stalled, struck the ground and crashed in flames. A passenger was killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

4

Estimated Survivors

4

Fatality Rate

20.0%

Known people on board: 5

Operational Details

Operator

BBR Drilling

Flight Type

Private

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

North America • United States of America

Aircraft Details

Registration

N131E

MSN

2503

Year of Manufacture

1943

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