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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 25, 1986 · Cessna 414A · N414LL

Olathe, KS

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Olathe, KS
Aircraft
Cessna 414A
Tail Number
N414LL
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC87FA035

THE PLT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A CHARTER FLT AND, AS SUCH, HE DECIDED TO ATTEMPT THE LOC 17 APCH TO OLATHE EVEN THOUGH THE AREA WAS FORECASTING ZERO-ZERO CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS DURING THE FLT IS BRACKETING THE LOC AND READING 1,600 FT ON THE ALTIMETER.SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT FURTHER STATED, HE REMEMBERS BEING ON THE GROUND INSIDE THE WRECKAGE, MITIGATING THE INJURIES SUFFERED AND TRYING TO STAY WARM. A POST-ACCIDENT INVEST REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE WHEN IT STRUCK TWO TREES 12 FT AGL (1,062 FT MSL), WHILE IN A 30 DEG RIGHT BANK. THE ACFT MADE A FLAT 360 RIGHT PIROUETTE OVER SOME SMALL TREES, TEARING OFF THE LEFT WING BEFORE IMPACTING THE GRND AND SLIDING APRX 600 FT. A POST-CRASH FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE RIGHT WING TANK BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. A DOT FAA OPERATIONAL FLT TEST FOUND THE LOCALIZER TO BE WITHIN LIMITS. A LEAK CHECK OF THE ACFT STATIC SYSTEM AND A BENCH CHECK OF BOTH ALTIMETERS WERE SATISFACTORY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A CHARTER FLT AND, AS SUCH, HE DECIDED TO ATTEMPT THE LOC 17 APCH TO OLATHE EVEN THOUGH THE AREA WAS FORECASTING ZERO-ZERO CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS DURING THE FLT IS BRACKETING THE LOC AND READING 1,600 FT ON THE ALTIMETER.SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT FURTHER STATED, HE REMEMBERS BEING ON THE GROUND INSIDE THE WRECKAGE, MITIGATING THE INJURIES SUFFERED AND TRYING TO STAY WARM. A POST-ACCIDENT INVEST REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE WHEN IT STRUCK TWO TREES 12 FT AGL (1,062 FT MSL), WHILE IN A 30 DEG RIGHT BANK. THE ACFT MADE A FLAT 360 RIGHT PIROUETTE OVER SOME SMALL TREES, TEARING OFF THE LEFT WING BEFORE IMPACTING THE GRND AND SLIDING APRX 600 FT. A POST-CRASH FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE RIGHT WING TANK BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. A DOT FAA OPERATIONAL FLT TEST FOUND THE LOCALIZER TO BE WITHIN LIMITS. A LEAK CHECK OF THE ACFT STATIC SYSTEM AND A BENCH CHECK OF BOTH ALTIMETERS WERE SATISFACTORY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:49 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 414A
Tail NumberN414LL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-NB9 · Reciprocating · 310
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data