Accident Beechcraft A36 N18BR, Friday 9 September 1983

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Friday 9 September 1983
Time:	11:40 LT
Type:	Beechcraft A36
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N18BR
MSN:	E1889
Total airframe hrs:	400 hours
Engine model:	Continental IO-520-BA
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Daisetta, TX - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Baton Rouge, LA (BTR
Destination airport:	Houston, TX (KAAP)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS BRIEFED ON THE WX, INCLUDING SIGMET 20C, WHICH CALLED FOR IMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE DEVIATED AROUND AN AREA OF WX & WAS PROVIDED VECTORS TO AVOID STORM CELLS. IN THE VICINITY OF DAISETTA, TX, THE CONTROLLER SUGGESTED A FURTHER DEVIATION TO THE NORTH DUE TO WX. THE PLT RESPONDED THAT A NORTH TURN WOULD TAKE HIM INTO A CB TYPE CLOUD. HE DECLINED THE TURN & CONTINUED ON HIS HEADING. ABOUT 10 MI LATER, WHILE CRUISING AT 8000 FT, HE ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN & A VIOLENT DOWNDRAFT & LOST MORE THAN 3500 FT IN A SHORT TIME. DURING THE ENCOUNTER, THE ENG COWLING SEPARATED & KNOCKED OUT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PRIMARY FLT INSTRUMENTS BECAME INOP & EXTENSIVE DEFORMATION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS SUSTAINED. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED IN VFR CONDITIONS BELOW THE CLOUDS &MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT CLEVELAND, TX.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: