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NTSB Report
September 22, 1987 · Beech H-18 · N5850S
Rockford, IL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 22, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Rockford, IL
Aircraft
Beech H-18
Tail Number
N5850S
Operator
Ronald W Smith
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI87FA219
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS ON A REPOSITIONING FLIGHT FROM KENOSHA, WISCONSIN TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AFTER HAVING BEEN WITHOUT SLEEP FOR ABOUT 20 HOURS. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING A SUBDIVISION NEAR ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS AT A LOW ALTITUDE, JUST ABOVE THE TREETOPS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, DESCRIBED AS 70-90 DEGREES, WHEN IT REVERSED DIRECTION INTO A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND DESCENDED INTO THE TREES.
Full Narrative
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS ON A REPOSITIONING FLIGHT FROM KENOSHA, WISCONSIN TO ATLANTA, GEORGIA, AFTER HAVING BEEN WITHOUT SLEEP FOR ABOUT 20 HOURS. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT CIRCLING A SUBDIVISION NEAR ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS AT A LOW ALTITUDE, JUST ABOVE THE TREETOPS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, DESCRIBED AS 70-90 DEGREES, WHEN IT REVERSED DIRECTION INTO A STEEP RIGHT BANK AND DESCENDED INTO THE TREES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:02 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech H-18
Tail NumberN5850S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRonald W Smith
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R-985-AN14B · Reciprocating · 450
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 3100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:08
Weather SourceWFAC