On August 16, 1985, a Beech E18S (registration N44N) was involved in an aviation accident near Billings, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain altitude following a lightning strike that caused the right engine mount to fail, resulting in the right engine being deflected downward. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot encountered a wind draft and was struck by lightning, causing the right engine mount to fail. Unable to maintain altitude, he executed a forced landing in an open field.
What happened
The pilot reported that the aircraft encountered a wind draft while in flight. During this encounter, the aircraft was struck by lightning. The impact caused the right engine mount to fail, which resulted in the right engine being deflected downward. Due to the loss of power and control authority associated with the damage, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude. He subsequently executed a forced landing in an open field.
The investigation
A post-crash examination of the welded cluster engine mount revealed evidence of an overload type failure. This mechanical failure was consistent with the forces generated by the lightning strike and subsequent aerodynamic loads.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain altitude following a lightning strike that caused the right engine mount to fail, resulting in the right engine being deflected downward.