In 1986, I flew a Beechcraft Baron 58 each night carrying canceled bank checks from Baltimore to Richmond, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Philadelphia and back to BWI, departing at about 10 p.m. and returning by 6 a.m. the next morning. I was part of a network of check-carrying general aviation aircraft that crisscrossed the nation each night.
Engine Trouble on a Nighttime Check Run
Key Takeaways:
- While flying bank checks in a Beechcraft Baron 58, the pilot experienced a catastrophic propeller overspeed and failure, with the right propeller tearing through the aircraft's nose mid-flight.
- The incident was later attributed to a broken counterweight band on a propeller overdue for overhaul, which caused the overspeed and prevented the pilot from feathering it.
- Despite the severe damage and flying on a single engine, the pilot successfully declared an emergency, landed the aircraft, and ensured the critical bank checks were delivered on time.
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