Cessna 414 N69662
5 March 1992 · Freeland, Michigan, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 5 March 1992 at about 20:04 local time, a Cessna 414 registered N69662, operated by Airborne Flying Service, Inc., was involved in an accident near Freeland, Michigan, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:04
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Freeland, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Tri-City Intl Airport (MBS)
- Coordinates
- 43.6202, -84.2194
- Aircraft
- Cessna 414
- Registration
- N69662
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 2
- Operator
- Airborne Flying Service, Inc.
- Operating rule
- Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Chicago
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- IMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI92FA104
People
3 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING FLIGHT AFTER THE AIRPLANE'S FUSELAGE WAS DAMAGED DURING A LOADING OPERATION. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE DATA FOR THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SUPERVISE THE LOADING OPERATION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ACCEPT THE SERVICES OF A MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
WHILE LOADING A PATIENT & HIS PERSONAL GEAR IN THE AIRCRAFT FOR AN AIR AMBULANCE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT TIPPED ONTO ITS TAIL. AS A RESULT, THE TAIL BUMPER WAS FORCED UPWARD INTO THE BELLY OF THE EMPENNAGE. THE PILOT REFUSED THE OFFER TO HAVE A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE DAMAGE, AND REMARKED 'THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE.' AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RADIOED TO THE TOWER THAT HE HAD A JAMMED ELEVATOR, AND WAS COMING AROUND TO LAND. WHILE MANUEVERING ON A BASE LEG, CONTROL WAS LOST & THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CRASH WITH ONE WING PERPENDICULAR TO THE GROUND. ANOTHER AIRPLANE WAS IN THE TAKEOFF POSITION ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONFIGURED WITH A HOSPITAL LITTER/STRETCHER AND OXYGEN BOTTLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CABIN. THERE WAS NO RECORD FOR THE APPROVAL FOR, OR INSTALLATION OF, THE STRETCHER. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS NO WEIGHT & BALANCE RECORD FOR THE AIRPLANE WITH THE STRETCHER INSTALLATION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cessna 414 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Dec 1992 | Cessna 414A | Rexburg, Idaho, United States | DR. Charles O. Garrison | No injuries | - |
| 19 Jan 1992 | Cessna 414 | Gaylord, Michigan, United States | Black Swan Rent/Lease | No injuries | - |
| 13 Feb 1992 | Cessna 414 | Logansport, Indiana, United States | Beechwoods Flying Service | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jan 1993 | Cessna 414 | Reno, Nevada, United States | Plane Wrap | Fatal | 2 |
| 10 Feb 1993 | Cessna 414 | Truckee, California, United States | Means, Gary L. | Fatal | 4 |
| 3 Jul 1993 | Cessna 414A | Seattle, Washington, United States | Galvin Flying Service | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Sep 1992 | Piper PA-32RT-300T | Pullman, Michigan, United States | Weber, Tracy T. | Fatal | 1 |
| 3 Feb 1992 | Beechcraft 95-BE55 | Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States | Stanley P. MacKlin | Fatal | 2 |
| 18 Jul 1992 | Cessna 172N | Lake Michigan, Michigan, United States | Battle Creek Air Service, Inc. | Fatal | 4 |
| 12 Sep 1992 | Cessna 150H | Manistee, Michigan, United States | H. Paul Miller | Fatal | 1 |
| 26 Jan 1992 | Aerospatiale AS-355F1 | Lansing, Michigan, United States | Corporate Jets Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 19 Dec 1992 | Piper PA-24-180 | Gaylord, Michigan, United States | John C Myers & Clare R Colwell | Fatal | 2 |