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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 13, 1983 · Rockwell 690A · N81416

Winter Haven, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1983
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Winter Haven, FL
Aircraft
Rockwell 690A
Tail Number
N81416
Operator
Charles D Howell
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA83FA074

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A DITCH OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AND BURST INTO FLAMES DURING TAKEOFF. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPING NORMAL RPM FOR TAKEOFF. ONE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE STILL IN GROUND IDLE POSITION. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH SPEED TO TAKEOFF BUT HE DID NOT SUSPECT ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER GROUND WITNESS SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE PROPELLERS WERE IN VERY HIGH OR CRUISE PITCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH PROPELLERS WERE AT OR NEAR THE FEATHER POSITION. TOXICOLOGY STUDIES ON THE PILOT SHOWED HIS BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.22%. HE ALSO HAD CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A DITCH OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AND BURST INTO FLAMES DURING TAKEOFF. WITNESSES SAID THE ACFT DID NOT SOUND LIKE IT WAS DEVELOPING NORMAL RPM FOR TAKEOFF. ONE MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE STILL IN GROUND IDLE POSITION. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID THEY DIDN'T GET ENOUGH SPEED TO TAKEOFF BUT HE DID NOT SUSPECT ANY ENGINE PROBLEMS. ANOTHER GROUND WITNESS SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE PROPELLERS WERE IN VERY HIGH OR CRUISE PITCH. AFTER THE ACCIDENT BOTH PROPELLERS WERE AT OR NEAR THE FEATHER POSITION. TOXICOLOGY STUDIES ON THE PILOT SHOWED HIS BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS 0.22%. HE ALSO HAD CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:45 EST
Nearest AirportGILBERT (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRockwell 690A
Tail NumberN81416
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCharles D Howell
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsAiresearch · TPE331-5-251K · Turboprop · 718
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 59
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data