Incident Details
On December 18, 1995, at approximately 1730 central standard time, a Beech B200 (registration N231RL) was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt near Ingleside, Texas. The aircraft was stolen from West Houston Airport earlier at 1600. The commercial pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Sequence of Events
According to U.S. Customs officials, the operator's chief mechanic reported the aircraft stolen as soon as the two occupants broke into the airplane. A U.S. Customs airplane was vectored to intercept the stolen aircraft. The owner reported there was approximately 800 pounds of fuel aboard at the time of theft.
The airplane was intercepted as it was landing at T.P. McCampbell Airport near Ingleside, Texas. The Customs aircraft landed and blocked the single 4,996-foot runway. While attempting to take off to evade law enforcement personnel, the airplane impacted a fence, crossed a ditch, and came to rest in a swamp.
Aftermath
The two occupants jumped out and ran. The pilot's son was captured, but the pilot was not apprehended. The following items were found in the airplane: bolt cutters, two masks, loaded weapons, the pilot's wallet, and charts and maps indicating a planned destination near Cartagena, Colombia.
Damage
The nose landing gear collapsed, the left wing sustained structural damage, and the pressure bulkhead was punctured.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause is the pilot's improper decision, while evading law enforcement personnel during an illegal/unauthorized operation.