Hinckley - Hinckley

On September 7, 1992 at 12:40 PM, Hinckley - Hinckley experienced a crash involving Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor, operated by EXA, with the event recorded near Hinckley Illinois.

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

12 people were known to be on board, 12 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. After takeoff, the airplane was seen at low altitude trailing smoke from the left engine. Witnesses saw the wings 'tipping' back and forth, then a wing dropped and hit the ground. Examination revealed that a supercharger bearing had failed in the left engine. The left engine had been recently installed by non-certificated personnel after being inactive for 18 years without preservation. The airplane had flown about 184 hours since the last annual inspection; no record of subsequent 100-hr inspection. The left prop blades were found in an intermediate position between the operating range and the feathered position. The left prop was changed several weeks prior to the accident. There is no evidence that the left prop had ever been successfully cycled to the full feather position. The operator and pilots were not aware of hamilton standard SB 657 recommending full-feather checks every 30 days. Left prop feathering motor relays not recovered. All 11 parachutists were found in center part of fuselage; no evidence of restraint usage. All 12 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration N3657G, MSN AF-461, year of manufacture 1951.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 41.7689°, -88.6409°.