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NTSB Report
September 8, 1983 · Beech H18S · N2990F
Kailua-Kona, HI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
10 injuries (1 serious injury, 9 minor injuries)
Location
Kailua-Kona, HI
Aircraft
Beech H18S
Tail Number
N2990F
Operator
Panorama Airtour
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA427
ABOUT 1 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, BETWEEN 400-500 FT MSL & DURING THE FIRST POWER REDUCTION, THE RIGHT ENG BACKFIRED. FOLLOWINGSOME MORE VIOLENT BACKFIRES THE RPM WENT TO ZERO. THE RIGHT ENG WAS RESTARTED BUT THE SAME RESULT OCCURRED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE RIGHT PROP BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE ACFT WAS THEN DELIBERATELY DITCHED TO AVOID AN OUTCROPPING OF LAVA. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 25-30 FT OF WATER. ENG INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYLINDER EXHAUST ROCKER ARM SHAFT, P/N45937, WAS MISSING. DRIVE TRAIN CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE. CENTRIFUGAL STOPS PREVENT FEATHERING OF THE PROP BELOW AN ENG SPEED OF 500 RPM.
Full Narrative
ABOUT 1 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF, BETWEEN 400-500 FT MSL & DURING THE FIRST POWER REDUCTION, THE RIGHT ENG BACKFIRED. FOLLOWINGSOME MORE VIOLENT BACKFIRES THE RPM WENT TO ZERO. THE RIGHT ENG WAS RESTARTED BUT THE SAME RESULT OCCURRED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE RIGHT PROP BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE ACFT WAS THEN DELIBERATELY DITCHED TO AVOID AN OUTCROPPING OF LAVA. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 25-30 FT OF WATER. ENG INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE #2 CYLINDER EXHAUST ROCKER ARM SHAFT, P/N45937, WAS MISSING. DRIVE TRAIN CONTINUITY WAS ESTABLISHED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE #2 EXHAUST VALVE. CENTRIFUGAL STOPS PREVENT FEATHERING OF THE PROP BELOW AN ENG SPEED OF 500 RPM.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:34 HST
Nearest AirportKEAHOLE (1nm NNW)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech H18S
Tail NumberN2990F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPanorama Airtour
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsP&W · R985-AN-14B · Reciprocating · 450
Seats11
People & Injuries
Injury Summary10 injuries (1 serious injury, 9 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor9
Uninjured0
Total10
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC