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NTSB Report

January 9, 2005 · Cessna 414A · N194JA

Harbor Springs, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 9, 2005
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Harbor Springs, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 414A
Tail Number
N194JA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI05CA051

The airplane impacted a snow bank and fence during an aborted takeoff. The pilot landed about 15 minutes prior to the accident to pick up his passengers. He stated that the airframe "encountered light ice" during his descent and he "activated the deice boots" during the instrument approach. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane prior to departing MGN. He stated that there was "no significant ice on the aircraft" during the preflight inspection. The pilot stated that when the airplane reached rotation speed during takeoff it "felt mushy" and he "immediately decided to abort the takeoff." The pilot stated that the aircraft slid on some snow at the departure end of the runway and impacted a snow bank and fence. Photos were taken by responding local law enforcement and FAA inspectors that show leading edge ice on the wings, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer. An FAA inspector reported that the leading edge ice was about 1/4-inch thick. During preflight pilots should "remove all frost, snow, and ice from aircraft surfaces because even very small amounts may adversely affect the aerodynamic properties of a wing," according to an FAA publication. During preflight pilots should check the deice boots for "tears, abrasions, and cleanliness," according to the Cessna 414A Pilot Operating Handbook.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by his failure to remove the accumulated airframe ice which resulted in deteriorated aircraft takeoff performance. Airframe ice, the snow bank and the fence were contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On January 9, 2005, at 1800 eastern standard time, a Cessna 414A, N194JA, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Harbor Springs Airport (MGN), Harbor Springs, Michigan. The airplane impacted a snow bank and airport fence situated off the departure end of runway 28 (4,257 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with an instrument flight plan on file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The pilot and his four passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of Marion Municipal Airport (MNN), Marion, Ohio. The pilot reported that he had landed at MGN around 1745 to pickup his passengers. He stated that the airframe "encountered light ice" during his descent into MGN and he "activated the deice boots" during the instrument approach. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane prior to departing MGN. He stated that there was "no significant ice on the aircraft" during the preflight inspection. The pilot reported that at departure the airplane was about 300 pounds under maximum gross weight. The pilot stated that when the airplane reached rotation speed during takeoff it "felt mushy" and he "immediately decided to abort the takeoff." He reported that he aborted the takeoff "slightly beyond" the halfway point of runway 28. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid on some snow at the departure end of the runway and impacted a snow bank and fence. In a subsequent statement the pilot reported that there "was no ice on any leading edges or on top of [an] airfoil" during the aircraft preflight. Emmet County Sheriff Department responded to the accident site. Photographs were taken by the responding officers that show ice accumulation on the leading edges of the wings and vertical stabilizer. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane on January 10, 2005. FAA photos show ice accumulation on the leading edges of the wings and the horizontal stabilizer. An FAA inspector reported that there was about 1/4-inch of leading edge ice on the horizontal stabilizer during their examination. "The wing, when contaminated with ice, will ordinarily stall at a lower AOA [angle-of-attack], and thus at a higher airspeed," according to FAA publication "Pilot Guide - Flight in Icing Conditions." The publication states that "even small amounts of ice, particularly if rough" could affect the stalling AOA. The publication also states that during preflight pilots should "remove all frost, snow, and ice from aircraft surfaces because even very small amounts may adversely affect the aerodynamic properties of a wing." During preflight pilots should check the deice boots for "tears, abrasions, and cleanliness," according to the Cessna 414A Pilot Operating Handbook.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EST
Nearest AirportHarbor Springs Airport (1nm W)
Runway28
Runway Length4157 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 414A
Tail NumberN194JA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsTeledyne Continental · TSIO-520-NB · Reciprocating · 325 | Teledyne Continental · TSIO-520-NB · Reciprocating · 325
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 29 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingOvercast 1900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 27 C
Altimeter29.92 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data