# Accident 20020106000789A: Cessna 414A, Sturgis, MI, January 6, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 6, 2002, 12:30 local time
- Place: Sturgis, MI
- Airport: Kirsch Municipal Airport
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.8009° N, 85.4198° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8009&lon=-85.4198&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6560C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6560C-2010-03-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 414A (registry code 2075907, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CHI02LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA060) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020106000789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON JANUARY 6, 2002, AT 1230 EASTERN STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA 414A, N6560C, PILOTED BY A COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON TO A FROZEN SNOW COVERED AGRICULTURAL FIELD FOLLOWING A SINGLE ENGINE MISSED APPROACH TO THE KIRSCH MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (IRS), STURGIS, MICHIGAN. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE 14 CFR PART 91 PERSONAL FLIGHT WAS OPERATING ON AN INSTRUMENT RULES FLIGHT PLAN. THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES, AND THE REMAINING PASSENGER WAS UNINJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM IRS, AT 1210, EN ROUTE TO THE NEW BRAUNFELS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (BAZ), NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER DURING A DEPARTURE CLIMB FROM IRS APPROXIMATELY 4,300 FEET MSL. HE THEN RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS FOR A RETURN TO THE AIRPORT DURING WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE AT A RATE OF 100-150 FEET PER MINUTE. THE PILOT ADDED THAT HE FLEW THE NDB 18 APPROACH AND FOUND HIMSELF IN A POSITION TOO HIGH TO LAND, SO HE EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH AND FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE'S PROPELLER. AFTER FINDING THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO AVOID OBSTRUCTIONS ALONG THE FLIGHT PATH, HE ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. (-23) AIRCRAFT DEPARTED IRS (STURGIS, MI) ON IFR FLIGHT PLAN, AT ABOUT 4300' ON CLIMB OUT. PILOT REPORTED LOSS OF POWER ON RIGHT ENGINE. PILOT WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS FOR AN NDB APPROACH AT IRS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO LAND AND CRASHED TWO (2) MILES WEST ON GO AROUND. OIL LINE WAS FOUND DISCONNECTED ON RIGHT ENGINE, CAUSING LOSS OF OIL AND FAILURE OF ENGINE BEARINGS.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI02LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA060), Jan 6, 2002: Cessna 414A (N6560C), Sturgis, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the inadequate in-flight emergency planning/decision, the checklist not followed and excessive approach altitude by the pilot. Contributing factors were the loose oil return line and weather.

## Other reports on N6560C (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19901026063779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901026063779I), Oct 26, 1990: Cessna 414A (N6560C), South Bend, IN. Lost directional control on rollout. Washer failure had allowed center bolt on gear scissors to pull loose.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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