Beechcraft 18 N231LJ
13 June 1994 · Belleville, Michigan, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 13 June 1994 at about 21:43 local time, a Beechcraft 18 registered N231LJ, operated by Kalitta Flying Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Belleville, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:43
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Belleville, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Detroit-Willow Run (YIP)
- Coordinates
- 42.1995, -83.4804
- Aircraft
- Beechcraft 18
- Registration
- N231LJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Kalitta Flying Service, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- St. Louis → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI94LA198
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
the failure of the fuel line on the unique STC'd engine installation. A related factor is the improper installation of a fuel line by company maintenance personnel.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOTS STATED THEY NOTICED THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE INDICATED BELOW NORMAL WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR LANDING. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP WAS ACTIVATED AND FUEL PRESSURE INCREASED TO THE NORMAL RANGE. THE PILOTS REPORTED AFTER LANDING THE LEFT ENGINE COMPRESSOR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. POSTACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE #3 FUEL LINE FAILED. PHOTOS REVEALED THE BENDS IN THE #3 FUEL LINE HAD BEEN MODIFIED FOR THE UNIQUE INSTALLATION ON THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE. THE FUEL LINE WAS DISCARDED BEFORE FURTHER EXAMINATION WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Beechcraft 18 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Mar 1994 | Beechcraft 18S | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Sep 1993 | Beechcraft 18-C45G | Jeffersonville, Indiana, United States | Crites, Kenneth J. | No injuries | - |
| 15 Dec 1992 | Beechcraft 18T | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | Mohican Air Service Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jul 1996 | Beechcraft 18 | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | FS Air Service | No injuries | - |
| 11 Dec 1996 | Beechcraft 18G | Roosevelt Roads | MBD Corporation | Fatal | 1 |
| 9 Oct 1997 | Beechcraft 18 [C-45H] | Orlando, Florida, United States | Carib-Air Cargo Inc | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1994 | Cessna 172N | Lambertville, Michigan, United States | Davis College | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 1994 | Beechcraft 19 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1994 | Hunsberger GLASAIR | Lapeer, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Beechcraft K35 | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | Richard J. van Lente | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Cessna T210M | Beaver Island, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Jul 1994 | Cessna 441 | Flint, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |