Accident Beechcraft D18S N90460, Thursday 1 October 1992

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Thursday 1 October 1992
Time:	11:25 LT
Type:	Beechcraft D18S
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N90460
MSN:	937
Total airframe hrs:	4610 hours
Engine model:	P&W R-985
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Brookston, TX - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Brookston, TX (40F)
Destination airport:	(40F)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. SUSPECTING A FIRE, HE ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD IN AN OPEN PASTURE. THE PASTURE WAS WET AND SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL MAKING BRAKING INEFFECTIVE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A LARGE TREE WITH THE LEFT WING, SPINNING THE AIRPLANE 180 DEG INTO A FENCE ROW. NO EVIDENCE OF AN INFLIGHT FIRE WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT ENGINE.

Probable Cause: SMOKE TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENGINE FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S). FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

Accident investigation: