Beagle Aircraft B-206 accident near Vernon, Texas, May 16, 1998
On May 16, 1998 at about 12:50 pm local time, a Beagle Aircraft B-206, registered N1885S, was destroyed in an accident near Vernon, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain the airplane's minimum controllable airspeed following a loss of left engine power after takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the fractured exhaust valve guide on the left engine's # 2 cylinder, the fatigue failure of the #2 cylinder's exhaust valve, and subsequent failure of the left engine's turbocharger resulting from foreign object damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 1998 · about 12:50 pm local time
- Place
- Vernon, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beagle Aircraft B-206 B206
- Registration
- N1885S · no longer on the register · serial B206-073
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to witnesses, the twin-engine airplane took off and was climbing when a reduction in engine power was heard. The airplane was observed leveling off, and a left turn back to the airport was initiated. The airplane was observed in level flight for a few seconds and then it rolled to the left and impacted on a highway in a nose low attitude. A post impact fire destroyed the airplane. The logbooks for the airplane and engines were not made available during the investigation. The minimum controllable airspeed (Vmc) was listed at 76 mph in a brochure provided by the previous owner of the airplane. Examination of the left engine revealed that the #2 cylinder's exhaust valve had failed in fatigue. Closer examination of the exhaust valve and its guide revealed that a portion of the valve guide was missing. Carbon deposits on the valve stem provided evidence that the engine had been operated for some period of time in this condition. Examination of the left turbocharger revealed that it was not rotating at the time of the accident; however, its turbine wheel blades displayed foreign object damage, more than likely resulting from portions of the separated exhaust valve head passing through the turbocharger. Examination of the propellers revealed that neither propeller was in the feather position at the time of the impact, and the left propeller was being operated at no or low power at impact. The left propeller control lever was found in the aft (feather) position.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 3,506 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 22 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: January 16, 1998
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 24, 1998; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,499 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental GTSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental GTSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: F05 at 7:45 am
- Destination: AUS Austin TX
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 am from SPS, 42 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.