Beechcraft D18

Aerial Advantage

Shortly after takeoff from Bastia-Poretta Airport Runway 16, while in initial climb, the pilot encountered an unexpected situation and apparently attempted an emergency landing when the twin engine aircraft crashed in a plantation located 1,5 km south of the airport. The airplane slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All three occupants were rescued, one was uninjured while both others were seriously injured due to burns. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Bob McCully

The pilot of the multi-engine tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll, after the tailwheel had touched down, the airplane veered sharply to the left. The pilot further reported that the airplane was close to the left runway edge, so he allowed the airplane to continue off the runway, in effort not to overcorrect to the right. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear collapsed in soft terrain. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

First Air Service

The pilot and his wife, a couple from Phoenix, were performing a flight from the Red Lake Seaplane base to a tourist Camp located north of Red Lake. The twin engine aircraft took off at 1727LT in marginal weather conditions consisting of wind and rain showers. Shortly after departure, the aircraft crashed into the Bruce Channel located between Cochenour and McKenzie Island. The aircraft sank and both occupants were killed.

Vancouver Island Air

The left engine of the float equipped Beechcraft D18S suffered a loss of oil pressure shortly after takeoff from Jackson Bay, BC. The engine lost power, the aircraft yawed to the left and while contacting the water, the left float was torn off. The pilot and all six passengers escaped with six life jackets and held on to one float which remained afloat. The aircraft sank within a minute. All seven occupants were rescued in about half an hour. One passenger got a minor injury and all suffered some levels of hypothermia.

Florida Air Cargo

On February 2, 2000, about 1407 eastern standard time, a Beech D18S, N122V, registered to South Florida Aircraft Leasing, Inc., operated by Florida Air Cargo, Inc., was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 47 miles east of Bimini, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 135 non-scheduled, international, cargo flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured, one passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 1305 from the Opa Locka Airport, Opa Locka, Florida. The pilot stated that the flight departed with all five fuel tanks full of fuel and departed with the left fuel selector positioned to the "main tank" position. The flight continued and approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, he switched the left fuel selector to the auxiliary position and remained on that tank for approximately 35 minutes. When the flight was approximately 20 miles east of Bimini, he switched the left fuel selector to the main tank position where it remained for 5 minutes before he added climb power. While about 45 miles east of Bimini, climbing through 2,300 feet with a good rate of climb, the left manifold pressure dropped to 27 inches and the propeller rpm dropped to 1,300. He turned to fly to Bimini, broadcast a mayday call, and reported no unusual vibration; the fuel pressure and oil pressure gauges indicated normal. He repositioned the fuel selector but the left engine would not restart. He then feathered the left propeller and secured the engine but was unable to maintain altitude with full power applied to the right engine. The airplane was ditched in a slight left wing low attitude and the left engine separated from the airframe. Both occupants exited the airplane, remained in the water for 47 minutes, then were spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard Falcon airplane. They were rescued by a pleasure boat and transported to the east coast of Florida.

Methow Aviation

The pilot reported that the start, taxi and run-up were normal. The engines were producing full power for the takeoff ground roll. The pilot stated that the airplane lifted off and attained an altitude of approximately five feet when it began to bank and roll to the left. The pilot applied corrective action, however, the airplane would not respond. The pilot elected to abort the take off and reduced engine power. The airplane touched down in the soft dirt/grass next to the runway. The main landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. The pilot reported that there was no indication of a mechanical failure or malfunction with the engines. An FAA inspector verified flight control continuity with no abnormalities noted.

Walter Warner

The pilot took off from a 4400-foot-long gravel airstrip with a near gross weight load of cargo. He said that shortly after lift-off the airplane felt 'sluggish', and he believes the left engine began to lose power. He said the airplane would not climb, and he elected to bring both engines to idle and land on the remaining runway. The airplane touched down a short distance from the end of the runway, and continued off the end and into the woods. A fire erupted, and the airplane was destroyed by fire. The pilot is unsure if the fire occurred in the air, or shortly after the airplane went off the end of the runway. The engines were extensively damaged by fire, and were not examined. FAA inspectors on scene said there was no obvious signs of catastrophic engine failure.

Rusty Myers Flying Service

The aircraft departed Fort Frances, Ontario, with the pilot and four passengers on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight to Granite Lake. The weather was overcast with good visibility on departure. However, about one-half of the way to Granite Lake, just north of Ignace, the pilot encountered an area of increasing rain and decreasing visibility. The pilot made several course deviations to find a route through the poor weather, but eventually could find neither a way out of the poor weather nor a lake with suitable conditions for landing. While manoeuvring at low level and with heavy rain obscuring the horizon, the pilot reported that the engines lost partial power because of carburettor icing. The pilot applied carburettor heat but was unable to restore engine power or sustain aircraft altitude. The pilot attempted to keep the aircraft level, and in a matter of seconds, the aircraft descended into the trees. The aircraft travelled approximately 500 feet through the trees; the left wing was torn off and a fuel-fed fire broke out almost immediately. All occupants survived the crash with minor injuries and exited the aircraft. The passenger occupying the copilot seat received burns to his upper body. The crash site was overflown about 15 minutes later by a second company pilot who transmitted a Mayday. The occupants were picked up by helicopter about one hour later

Skydive Assets

The pilot-owner/operator, who was seated in the right seat, said the left seat pilot made the approach to runway 15. The wind was reported as being from the southwest at 20 knots with no reference to gusts. He said the pilot aligned the airplane 40 feet left of runway centerline and failed to flare. The airplane contacted the runway, bounced back into the air with the right wing high, and began drifting to the left. The right seat pilot took control, first trying to lower the wing then attempting to abort the landing. The airplane struck the ground and cartwheeled. The left seat pilot said he was 'receiving training' from the pilot-owner and was 'not at the controls' at the time of the accident.

Arizona Air Power

The aircraft had not been flown for several years and was on a flight to ferry it to another location. While cruising at 7,500 feet, the pilot decided to start using auxiliary fuel. Shortly after moving the fuel selectors to the auxiliary position, both engines lost power and would not restart. The pilot landed on a road, but the wings struck posts/mailboxes and then the aircraft hit a dirt bank. Fuel samples were taken and a visual examination revealed obvious contamination and discoloration. The aircraft had been given an annual inspection just before the flight. Both occupants escaped uninjured.

Imitari Athol North Aero

The pilot borrowed the aircraft to fly a musical group to Kalispell for a private engagement at Lakeside, MT, which was approximately 15 miles south of the airport. That evening, the group boarded the aircraft for the return flight. After takeoff, the aircraft was seen flying at low altitude in the vicinity of where the musical group had performed. The aircraft was observed at a very low altitude when it entered an abrupt climb, then went into a wingover or hammerhead stall type of maneuver and reversed direction. However, before recovering from the ensuing dive, the aircraft crashed on wooded terrain. Witnesses said the engines appeared to be running normally. A test of the pilot's blood showed a slight amount of alcohol; however, there were indications this was due to putrefaction. All 10 occupants were killed, among them six members of the 'Montana Band' and their manager. Montana Band members were: Curt Bergeron, Clifford Tipton, Allen Larson, Grady Whitfield, Terry Robinson Dale Anderson, Tom Sawan, Band's Manager.

La Pourvoirie Roger Fortier

On final approach to Schefferville Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with heavy snow falls when the aircraft crashed few km short of runway 36. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed, among them six US citizens from Chicago. Pilot incapacitation suspected.

Transtar Aviation

The aircraft contacted the terrain with the left wing tip, cartwheeled and came to rest inverted during an ILS runway 12 approach at Huntington (HTS). Minimum approach visibility for the ILS is 3/4 of a mile. While en route the pilot was informed the HTS visibility was 1/8 of a mile. A missed approach was performed on the first ILS. During the missed approach climb the transponder code in the aircraft was changed to 7600. Radar data indicated that after the 2nd ILS approach, the aircraft made a climbing left turn. When approximately 2 miles southeast of the airport, at 2,100 feet, the aircraft made a sharp right turn. The radar target disappeared shortly thereafter. The aircraft contacted the terrain on a heading of 260° between runway 30 and the parallel taxiway. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Transtar Aviation

The aircraft crashed during an ILS approach following an engine power loss while on an air taxi freight flight. The pilot related that at about 550 feet on the approach to runway 23 the left engine fuel pressure warning light illuminated and the left engine lost power. The pilot opened the crossfeed valve and shortly the right fuel pressure warning light illuminated followed by a loss of power on the right engine. Investigation revealed that there is one fuel gauge for the tank system and a selector switch must be activated to determine the fuel quantity in any desired tank. The pilot's action in selecting crossfeed and not closing the fuel shut off valve allowed fuel to be diverted from the operative right engine resulting in a loss of power due to fuel starvation. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Northern Thunderbird Air - NT Air

After touchdown at Germansen Landing, the twin engine aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and crashed in a ditch. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

King Flying Service

The pilot stated the engines lost power as a result of snow ingestion and carburetor icing upon entering clouds. According to the pilot, he entered the clouds at 9,000 feet msl and encountered heavy snow. He remained IMC until approximately 100-300 feet agl when he 'broke out' into VMC flight conditions. After ditching the aircraft, the pilot and passenger swam to shore. The aircraft washed out to sea and was not recovered.

Isabel Castillo

The pilot had just taken off at night on a flight to Mexico when he declared an intent to return and land with some unspecified emergency. While he was using his radio, the sound of both engines, running at high power, was audible. When asked if he required assistance, he gave an affirmative reply, but when asked if he required a crash crew, he gave a negative reply. Shortly after that, the aircraft collided with power lines about 1 mile from the runway, then impacted the ground and was demolished by fire. Impact with the power lines occurred at about 55 feet agl. A wire impact mark on the nose door indicated the aircraft was in a vertical bank when the collision occurred. An exam of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a preimpact/mechanical malfunction or failure; however, there was extensive damage from fire. There was evidence that the aircraft was loaded beyond its max certificated gross weight. The pilot had a temporary US license based on his canadian license. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

McKinley Aviation

The pilot, sole on board, departed Fraser Airport on a local private flight. While circling in the vicinity of the airfield, he reported an engine fire and elected to return when the airplane crashed in a field, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.

T. T. Hughes

On a night approach to Claxton-Evans County (Clayton) Airport, both engines flamed out due to fuel exhaustion. The aircraft lost height and while the pilot was attempting an emergency landing, the airplane struck trees and crashed. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Joseph Lynch

The crew was engaged in an illegal flight and was supposed to load marijuana boxes when they decided to hurry the takeoff to avoid apprehension. The twin engine airplane struck a fence and crashed. The passenger was slightly injured while the pilot was seriously wounded.

Pacific Missionary Aviation

En route from Woleai Atoll to Yap Island, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions and became lost. In adverse winds aloft (winds gusting up to 30 knots), both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot attempted an emergency landing about 80 km east of Yap Island. All seven occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Falcon Air

En route from Udaipur to Jaipur, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and became lost due to limited visibility. The captain attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed on a railway road located in Nadbai. All five occupants were killed.

Polynesian Air-Ways

Following a night takeoff from Honolulu, while climbing at a height of 600 feet, the airplane collided with a 35 feet wooden utility pole and 50 feet tubular steel microwave antenna tower. It crashed in flames and both occupants were killed.

Dale Rodenbeek

After liftoff, during initial climb, the airplane was difficult to control when it crashed in flames. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Lowery Aircraft Parts

Shortly after takeoff from North Perry Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane lost height and crashed in flames near the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all three occupants were killed.

Wyman Pilot Services

While in cruising altitude on a cargo flight from Charlotte to Youngstown, the pilot reported engine problems and elected to divert to Charleston-Kanawha Airport for an emergency landing. After being cleared, he initiated the descent when the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames few miles from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Steele Aviation

While flying at low height by night on an illegal flight, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Wyman Pilot Services

Following a normal landing and braking procedure at Flint-Bishop Airport, while performing a cargo flight from St Louis, the pilot vacated the runway and rolled to the apron with he collided with a parked Piper PA-28-140 registered N54393. The pilot was uninjured while both aircraft were destroyed by a post crash fire.

Air Caribbean

On final approach to San Juan-Isla Verde Airport, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed onto several houses located in the district of Barrio Obrero, about 4 km short of runway 10 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed. Few people on the ground were injured.

Blackhawk Airways

Following an improper level off, the twin engine airplane landed hard, bounced several times and crash landed after the undercarriage collapsed. The pilot, sole on board, was unhurt.

Lineas Aéreas Orientales

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Tres Esquinas Airport. In unknown circumstances, the twin engine airplane crashed in the region of Espinal. The wreckage was found in an isolated area and both occupants were killed.

Great Western Airlines

On final approach to Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport, the left engine lost power and the right engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames. Both occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Southern Aero Traders

While flying at low height, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed by a post impact fire and both occupants were killed.

Wyman Pilot Services

The twin engine airplane was completing a cargo flight from Flint to Pontiac. While descending to Pontiac-Oakland County Airport by night, the pilot encountered bad weather conditions when on final, the airplane went out of control and crashed in White Lake, about three miles west of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

C %26 M Aircraft Parts %26 Salvage Company

While completing a low pass, the twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Global Aircraft

After takeoff from Orlando-Herndon Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered serious difficulties to gain height. It went out of control and crashed in flames in a field. All three occupants were injured, one of them seriously.

Victor M. Bernavides

Just after takeoff from McAllen-Miller Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The airplane rolled to the left then lost height and crashed in flames. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Johnston Airways

On a slush covered runway, the pilot completed a premature liftoff. After rotation, the airplane stalled during initial climb and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Festus Flying Service

While taking off by night from Cairo Airport, the twin engine airplane stalled and crash landed on the runway. It went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and the pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured.

Midwest Air Carrier

While in normal cruise, the aft cargo door opened. The pilot shut down the right engine and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and crashed. The pilot was slightly injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Servicios Aéreos Cora

Shortly after takeoff from Huaynamota, an engine failed. The pilot elected to return when control was lost. The aircraft crashed and was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.

William R. Draper

The twin engine airplane was engaged in a local post maintenance test flight. During the takeoff roll, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. A technician was killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Private Venezuelan

Crashed in unknown circumstances, probably somewhere in Venezuela. Occupant fate unknown.

Gary K. Brage

Parked at Yolo County Airport, the twin engine airplane was stolen by two men who wanted to make a probable illegal flight. During the takeoff roll, the pilot lost control of the airplane that veered off runway, collided with ditches and came to rest in flames. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were not recovered.

Balbo Air

While cruising by night at an insufficient altitude, the twin engine airplane crashed in a field near Bloserville. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was completing a cargo flight from Reading to Altoona.

Bush Aviation

En route from Fort Lauderdale to Great Inagua Island, the pilot reported he was short of fuel. Radar contact was lost after the airplane crashed in to the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the airplane nor the three occupants was found.

Private American

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a flight from Rockyford, Colorado. En route, the failure of the right engine forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a sandy area located near Lamesa. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and the pilot was killed.

Virgil A. Kelley Jr.

Upon landing, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

Marine Masters

The pilot initiated the descent to Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport by night and poor weather conditions with a limited visibility due to rain showers. On final, the airplane was too low, struck the ground and crashed in flames in Tustin, few miles from the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.

Río Táxi Aéreo

After a night takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames into the Guanabara Bay few dozen yards offshore. Both crew members were killed. It was reported the aircraft caught fire shortly after rotation for unknown reason.