Tuesday, December 05, 2017

Beechcraft C90 King Air, N500KR: Accident occurred December 04, 2017 at Chicago Rockford International Airport (KRFD), Winnebago County, Illinois

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Plaines, Illinois
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Transportation Safety Board of Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, FN
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Longueuil, Québec, FN
Appareo Systems LLC; Fargo, North Dakota
Pratt & Whitney Canada; Bridgeport, West Virginia

Location: Rockford, IL
Accident Number: CEN18LA047
Date & Time: 12/04/2017, 1802 CST
Registration: N500KR
Aircraft: BEECH C90
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel exhaustion
Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 4, 2017, about 1805 central standard time, a Beech C90 airplane, N500KR, impacted terrain near the Chicago/Rockford International Airport (RFD), Rockford, Illinois. The private pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries and two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial fuselage damage during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was issued a local instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance. The flight originated from the Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), near Kissimmee, Florida, about 1343 and was destined for RFD.

According to information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flight was given an IFR clearance as the airplane was nearing RFD. The pilot asked for priority handling. When asked for the reason for the priority handling, the pilot responded that he "lost a transfer pump and had a little less fuel than he thought." He also said that he did not want to "come in with a single engine." The pilot was queried if he needed assistance and he replied "negative."

The pilot was cleared to perform a visual approach to runway 19. As the airplane approached the airport, the pilot requested the runway lights for runway 25 be turned on and reported that the airplane lost engine power in one engine. The controller advised that the lights on runway 25 were being turned on and issued a landing clearance. That was the last transmission from the airplane. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain before the threshold for runway 25.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 46, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3
Last FAA Medical Exam: 05/17/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2500 hours (Total, all aircraft)

The 46-year-old pilot held an FAA private pilot certificate with airplane single and multi-engine land and instrument ratings. He also held an FAA third class airman medical certificate, dated May 17, 2017. According to information from the FAA, the pilot reported that he had accumulated 2,500 hours of total flight time. The pilot's experience was requested from a point of contact for the pilot and a King Air C90 Recurrent Training Course certificate, dated October 25, 2017, was provided.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: BEECH
Registration: N500KR
Model/Series: C90
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: LJ-708
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/25/2017, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 9989 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Prop
Airframe Total Time: 9856.7 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: C91  installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: PT6
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 550 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

N500KR, a 1977 model Beech C90A King Air, was an all-metal, pressurized, low-wing, retractable landing gear, twin-engine airplane with serial number LJ-708. According to the airplane flight manual (AFM), the airplane could operate at altitudes up to 30,000 ft. The airplane was equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) turbo propeller PT6A-21 engines each rated at 550 horsepower, each driving their own McCauley 4-blade, constant speed, fully reversing, aluminum alloy propeller. The left-hand engine had serial number 24390 and the right-hand engine had serial number 24387. An airplane maintenance record endorsement dated August 25, 2017, showed that the airplane was inspected in accordance with a phase 3 and 4 inspection program and that the airplane had accumulated 9,856.7 hours of total time.

The PT6A-21 engines have three-stage axial and single stage centrifugal compressors, driven by single stage reaction turbines. The power turbine, another single stage reaction turbine, drives the propeller shaft. Both the compressor turbine and the power turbine are located in the approximate center of the engine with their shafts extending in opposite directions. The accessory drive at the aft end of the engine provides power to drive the fuel pump, fuel control unit, oil pump, starter-generator, and tachometer.

The engine fuel system consists of an engine-driven fuel pump, a fuel control unit, a flow divider, inlet manifold, thirteen manifolds nozzles, and two fuel drain valves. The fuel pump fuel control unit assembly is mounted on the engine accessory case and is shaft-driven at a speed proportional to that of the compressor turbine.

The fuel system consists of two separate systems connected by a crossfeed system. Fuel for each engine is supplied from a nacelle tank and four interconnected wing tanks for a total of 192 gallons of usable fuel for each side with all tanks full. The outboard wing tanks supply the center section wing tank by gravity flow. The nacelle tank draws its fuel supply from the center section tank. Since the center section tank is lower than the other wing tanks and the nacelle tank, the fuel is transferred to the nacelle tank by the fuel transfer pump in the low spot of the center section tank. Each system has two filler openings, one in the nacelle tank and one in the leading-edge tank. Servicing the nacelle tank first, then the wing tanks, assures that the system is properly filled.

A crossfeed valve in the left-hand fuel system connects the two systems when the crossfeed valve is OPEN.

Each system has a submerged boost pump in the nacelle tank that supplies the motive force to transfer fuel as well as fuel boost to one or both engines. With one engine inoperative, the crossfeed system allows fuel from the inoperative side to be supplied to the operating engine. The fuel system is vented through a recessed ram scoop vent that is coupled to an external vent, located on the underside of the wing, adjacent to the nacelle. The external vent is heated to prevent icing. One vent acts as a back-up for the other should one or the other become blocked.

The boost pumps are submerged, rotary, vane-type impeller pumps, electrically driven. One pump is located in each nacelle tank.

Fuel transfer is accomplished when the TRANSFER PUMP switches are turned ON, unless the nacelle tanks are full. A TRANSFER TEST switch (placarded L and R) is provided to verify the operation of each pump when its nacelle tank is full. The nacelle tanks will continue to fill until the fuel reaches the upper transfer limit and a float switch turns the pump off. As the engines burns fuel from the nacelle tanks (60-gallon capacity each tank), fuel from the wing tanks transfers into the nacelle tanks when their level drops approximately 10 gallons. When 131 gallons of fuel (each side) are used from the wing tanks (132 gallons usable each side), a pressure sensing switch reacts to a pressure drop in the fuel transfer line. After 30 seconds. the transfer pump shuts off and the annunciator panel illuminates, showing a NO FUEL TRANSFER light. The NO FUEL TRANSFER light also functions as an operation indicator for the transfer pump. Extinguishing the NO FUEL TRANSFER light is accomplished by turning the transfer switch OFF. If the transfer pump fails to operate during flight, gravity feed will perform the transfer. When the nacelle tank level drops to approximately 150 lbs, the gravity feed port in the nacelle tank opens and gravity flow from the wing tank starts. All wing fuel except 28 gallons from each wing will transfer during gravity feed.

Crossfeeding fuel is authorized only in the event of engine failure or electric boost pump failure. The crossfeed system is controlled by a three-position switch placarded OPEN, CLOSED, and AUTO. The valve can be manually opened or closed, but under normal flight conditions it is left in the AUTO position. In the AUTO position, the fuel pressure switches are connected into the crossfeed control circuit. In the event of a boost pump failure, which causes a drop in fuel pressure, these pressure switches open the crossfeed valve allowing the remaining boost pump to supply fuel to both engines.

The airplane is equipped with a capacitance fuel gaging system. The fuel panel utilizes a fuel quantity indicator for each side. A toggle switch, located between the two fuel quantity indicators, can be placed in the TOTAL position to provide an indication of all fuel in the system, or in the NACELLE position to indicate the quantity of fuel in the nacelle tanks only. Nacelle position is provided in order to verify nacelle fuel quantity during operations with NO FUEL TRANSFER illuminated where it is desirable to monitor gravity feed from wing tanks. Fuel quantity gages indicate pounds of fuel.

The first step of the "AFTER STARTING AND TAXI" checklist in the AFM stated, "Transfer Pumps - ON." The second step of the "SHUTDOWN AND SECURING" checklist stated, "Transfer Pumps - OFF."

The AFM limitation section, in part, stated, "Operation of either engine with its corresponding fuel pressure light (L FUEL PRESS or R FUEL PRESS annunciator) illuminated is limited to 10 hours before overhaul or replacement of the engine-driven fuel pump."

An automatic feathering system was an option for this airplane type. However, there was no autofeather switch in its placarded position, indicating no autofeather system was installed in this airplane.

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: KRFD, 743 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1754 CST
Direction from Accident Site: 218°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 3800 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 18 knots / 25 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 190°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 29.49 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: ORLANDO, FL (ISM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Rockford, IL (RFD)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1545 CST
Type of Airspace: 

A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) senior meteorologist collected weather data and produced a Weather Study. The study is appended to the docket material associated with this investigation.

Airport Information

Airport: CHICAGO/ROCKFORD INTL (RFD)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt; Concrete
Airport Elevation: 742 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Unknown
Runway Used: 19
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 8200 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

RFD was a tower-controlled airport, owned and operated by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority. The airport had a surveyed elevation of 742 ft msl and was served by two intersecting paved runways 1-19 and 7-25. Runway 1-19 was an 8,200 ft by 150-ft grooved asphalt and concrete runway. Runway 7-25 was a 10,002 ft by 150-ft grooved asphalt and concrete runway with a 3% upslope. Runway 25 had runway end identifier lighting and high intensity runway lighting.

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 Serious, 2 Minor
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Serious, 2 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 42.203056, -89.082500 (est) 

An RFD deputy director, in part, reported that from first responders and his knowledge of the scene, there was never any visible fuel exiting the aircraft while it was sitting on the ground or while it was being lifted and moved. No pooled fuel was observed. However, there was a slight fuel smell around the airplane.

The wreckage was recovered to a hangar at RFD and the airframe and engine were subsequently examined by air safety investigators from the airplane and engine manufacturers, FAA inspectors, and the NTSB investigator in charge. The empennage was found separated from the fuselage aft of the rear pressure bulkhead. The ends of a rudder trim cable exhibited a separation consistent with overload and the rudder torque tube was found separated from its bellcrank. Flight control continuity was established.

Both the left and right transfer pump switches were found in the OFF position. The airplane's battery was reconnected. Both the left and right transfer pumps and the right boost pump were operational using the airplane's wiring. However, a wire going to the left boost pump was found separated in an area of structural damage. The left boost pump was operational when battery power was applied directly to that pump's wiring. No useable amount of fuel was found in any of the airplane fuel tanks. However, a liquid consistent with fuel was observed in fuel lines.

All engine cable control continuity was established to the left engine and right engine power and condition control cable continuity was established. The right engine's propeller control was bound when it was manipulated by hand. None of the propeller blades exhibited any leading-edge damage and both spinners did not exhibit any rotational witness marks.

The first stage blades in both engines' compressor section were manipulated by hand and continuity was established to their respective accessory gearboxes. Some of the left engine power turbine blades exhibited fracture witness marks. Observation of the right engines power turbine blades revealed that they were intact.

The engine driven fuel pumps on both engines were removed. Liquid consistent with fuel was found in both engines' fuel filter bowls. However, both their bowl fuel filters were discolored. Both pumps were able to rotate when their input shafts were manipulated by hand. Disassembly of both pumps revealed that their inlet filters were free of obstructions. Bearing surfaces in both pumps exhibited pitting consistent with pump operation with inadequate fuel lubrication.

No airframe or engine preimpact anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation of the airplane.

The Stratus unit was recovered from the cockpit and was shipped to the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory. 

Aids To Navigation

The published inbound course for RFD's area navigation runway 25 approach was 246° and the touchdown elevation for runway 25 was 736 ft msl. 

Flight Recorders

The airplane was equipped with an Appareo Stratus 2S unit. The Stratus is a battery-operated ADS-B receiver with Global Positioning System (GPS) capability designed to interface with an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch running the ForeFlight Mobile application via Wi-Fi. The Stratus uses ADS-B to provide access to NEXRAD radar, meteorological terminal air reports, terminal aerodrome forecasts, notices to airmen and other FAA products via the ForeFlight application installed on a mobile device. The Stratus supports limited reception and display of ADS-B traffic information. Certain models include a complete Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) that permits supplemental attitude information on the connected mobile device.

Tests And Research

An NTSB vehicle recorder specialist examined the Appareo Stratus 2S and found it was received in good condition. Power was applied to the unit using NTSB recorder laboratory equipment. Data was downloaded from the device to ForeFlight Mobile on an NTSB iPad using Wi-Fi. The data extracted included 4 hours and 15 minutes of the accident flight on December 4, 2017 and four hours of the prior flight on December 1, 2017. Data was recorded at a rate of five samples per second.

Graphical overlays of the Appareo data were generated using Google Earth. An overlay of the prior flight on December 1, 2017, revealed the flight departed from RFD about 17:59 and arrived at ISM about 22:17. The accident flight on December 4, 2017, was recorded in three portions: from 13:43 to 13:50, from 13:54 to 14:09, and from 14:10 to 18:05. The recorder specialist's report is appended to the docket material associated with this investigation.

An NTSB aircraft performance national resource specialist used collected data and produced a performance study for the accident flight and the flight before it. The fuel remaining at the time of the accident was computed in two ways: (1) Using the flight planning methods described in the AFM, using eight waypoints in between ISM and RFD; and (2) Using a fuel burn simulation developed from the fuel burn and other performance data published in the performance section of the AFM. The simulation models fuel burn as a function of engine shaft horsepower (SHP) and pressure altitude, and computes the SHP developed during the flights using AFM performance data, the ground speed and rate of climb recorded by the Stratus device, and winds aloft forecasts. Both methods required computing 8.5 hours of fuel burn over the two RFD-ISM and ISM-RFD flights. The calculations assume full fuel at departure for the 4.17-hour RFD-ISM flight on December 1, and refueling with 150 lbs of fuel at ISM prior to the 4.33-hour return flight to RFD on December 4.

The results of the flight planning method indicated that the airplane could have made the return flight to RFD with about 119 lbs (18 gal.) of fuel remaining. The results of the fuel burn simulation method indicated that the airplane would have run out of fuel on approach to RFD. The aircraft performance national resource specialist's report is appended to the docket material associated with this investigation.

Additional Information

A note in the AFM, in reference to the flight planning method, in part, stated, "The associated conditions define the specific conditions for which performance parameters have been determined. They are not intended to be used as instructions; however, performance values determined from charts can only be achieved if specified conditions exist."

Federal Aviation Regulations 91.151 Fuel requirements for flight in VFR conditions, in part, stated:

(a) No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless
(considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to
fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed—
...
(2) At night, to fly after that for at least 45 minutes.


The calculated 45-minute night reserves required about 366 lbs or 56 gallons of fuel using a maximum recommended cruise power setting or about 246 lbs or 37.8 gallons of fuel using a maximum range power setting.


Noakes Family

ROCKFORD — Rockford dentist Dr. Edward B. Noakes III and his two daughters remained hospitalized Tuesday after the plane he was piloting crashed at Chicago Rockford International Airport on Monday, Noake’s father-in-law, Floyd Ramer of Rockford, said.

One family member was in critical condition, though Ramer declined to say who.

Noakes is a dentist with Camelot Endodontics, which has offices in Rockford, Freeport, Wheaton and Janesville, Wisconsin. A woman who answered the phone at the Rockford location said no information would be released. Noakes is married, to Cindi, and they have two daughters and three sons, according to Camelot’s website.

Cindi Noakes declined comment and asked for privacy for the family.

Raymer said his son-in-law piloted the plane. Four family members, including Noakes’ son, were returning from Orlando.

The Beechcraft C90 King Air crashed about 200 yards to the east of a runway it intended to land upon near Falcon Road, an airport official said Monday.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was manufactured in 1977.

“Right now, RFD’s primary concern is for the four injured passengers and their families, and we extend our thoughts and prayers to those affected,” said Mike Dunn, executive director of the airport, in a news release.

Cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.


Original article can be found here ➤  http://www.journalstandard.com


UPDATE: ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - The plane that crashed at the Chicago Rockford International Airport Monday night may have been running out of fuel. 23 news found a transmission from the pilot to the Rockford tower on liveatc.net which says in part:

ATC- "You said you were requesting priorities or something wrong with the aircraft?"

PILOT: "Yeah, I just lost the transfer pump here, so I might have a little less fuel on one side than I thought. I don't want to come in with one single engine."

We have confirmed through the FAA that the six-seater King Air C-90 airplane is owned by Edward Noakes III who is an endodontist in Rockford. Sources tell us that Noakes was flying the plane.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - A plane crash at the Chicago Rockford Airport leaves passengers injured.

Chicago Rockford International Airport officials and first responders say a King C90 plane went down just off a runway around 6 p.m.

Officials say all four passengers were taken to the hospital. Investigators tell us two people were extricated, one of those was unconscious. One is considered "walking wounded" and another was assisted off the plane.

There is no information on the level of experience the plane's pilot has, but emergency crews believe Rockford was the aircraft's intended destination.

At this time it is unknown if wind played a factor in the crash or if the issue was mechanical.

The FAA says they will be investigating along with the NTSB which will close Falcon Road at least overnight.

The airport does not expect flight delays.


Story and video ➤ http://www.wifr.com



ROCKFORD, Ill. (WLS) -- A small plane crashed upon landing at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport Monday evening.

Officials said at about 5:26 p.m. the Beechcraft C90 King Air was coming in for a landing when it crashed just short of airport property, but came to a stop on airport grounds.

"They struck the ground just east of Falcon Road. They bounced over the road through the fence, the perimeter fence of the airport, and that's where they landed," said Deputy Fire Chief Brian Kunce, Rockford Airport Fire Department.

It was unclear if the crash was mechanical or related to strong winds. The airport reported gusts of up to 35 miles per hour Monday night.

"Once our company arrived on scene they found that the plane ended up crash landing inside the airport grounds," Kunce said.

Airport officials said four people were onboard the plane, including the pilot. Emergency responders had to extricate the pilot and one of the passengers off the plane, and they remained hospitalized in serious to critical condition Monday night.

The other two passengers suffered minor injuries and were also taken to local hospitals for treatment.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.

Falcon Road is expected to remain closed overnight. The airport resumed normal operations Monday evening and experienced only minimal delays, officials said.

Story and video ➤ http://abc7chicago.com



ROCKFORD -- At least four people were injured, including two minors, after a two engine aircraft crashed at Chicago Rockford International Airport Monday evening.

According to airport officials, there were no signs of distress as the Beechcraft C90 King Air came in to land around 6 p.m. Monday, when it clipped the airport perimeter fence and landed short of the runway.

Officials said at least four people were onboard, including two adults and two minors that were hospitalized after the crash. At least two of them are believed to be in critical condition. There are unconfirmed report that A 17-year-old girl was ejected from the plane during the crash.

The plane remains on the runway as local investigators comb through the wreckage, trying to determine whether or not wind gusts had anything to do with the crash. The tail end of the plane has broken off and split into two, possibly indicating the force of the impact when it hit the ground. NTSB federal investigators will be on the scene Tuesday.

As of 9:45 p.m. Monday, there was no word on the state of the plane's pilot.

Story and video ➤ http://wgntv.com

ROCKFORD — Four people onboard a small airplane Monday were injured after the aircraft crashed at Chicago Rockford International Airport at about 6 p.m.

All four were taken to a hospital, though the extent of their injuries is not clear. Two people needed to be extricated from the Beechcraft C90 King Air, one of whom was unconscious. Those passengers remained in critical condition Monday night at a local hospital, said Deputy Chief Brian Kunce with the airport fire department. A third passenger was walking injured and the fourth passenger was assisted off the plane, Kunce said.

The names of the injured passengers were not released.

Kunce said the plane crashed about 200 yards to the east of a runway it intended to land upon near Falcon Road. He said the plane initially struck a ditch and bounced over a fence before coming to a stop on the airport grounds. He declined to describe the condition of the airplane, but said it did not catch fire.

It was not disclosed where the plane originated from but Michelle Cassaro, deputy director of finance and administration for the airport, said the Rockford airport was the plane’s intended destination.

Mark Ratzer, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said winds were gusting at 31 mph shortly before 6 p.m. Kunce said it’s too early in the investigation to determine any cause of the crash, including weather.

“There’s no indication that’s what caused it,” he said. “It’s very early on into this.”

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said investigations can take several months to a year or more to complete.

Kunce said the crash triggered an automatic response from several area fire departments including Rockford, New Milford, Stillman Valley and nine ambulances.

Story and photo gallery ➤ http://www.rrstar.com

6 comments:


  1. We certainly hope the family members recover.

    Odd how the typical information flow has clammed up.

    I suspect someone already knows what happened and is not talking.

    When I take young people along I am compelled to be more conservative and thorough than typical. Young ones deserve our best judgements and skill in the air.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It wasn't a transfer pump failure, he simply ran out of fuel. There are old pilots and bold pilots but no old bold pilots. He chose to be bold.

      Delete
  2. Odd also is the fact that flightaware.com only shows one flight for this aircraft and it was back in September. Could be he was flying around VFR I suppose. The report says he requested and was given an IFR clearance as he neared RFD. All the way from Kissimmee to RFD VFR. Wonder why? Did he have an instrument ticket I wonder?

    ReplyDelete
  3. He ran out of Airspeed, Altitude & Ideas, Simultaneously.
    Oh, and Fuel!

    This is a perfect example of someone with a lot of Money,
    Buying More airplane than he should be Flying.

    Lucky he didn't kill half his Family.

    Crashes like this give General Aviation a Bad image!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It wasn't an issue of fuel and the flight has been done a million times in that aircraft among others by my father for 7 years before the accident. You are beyond disrespectful get off the internet or at least have the guts to make a comment like that not anonymously.

      Delete
  4. I hope everyone is recovering.

    ReplyDelete