# Accident 20231012018219A: Cessna 414, Patterson, LA, October 12, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 12, 2023, 15:30 local time
- Place: Patterson, LA
- Airport: Harry P Williams Memorial
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.7025° N, 91.3477° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7025&lon=-91.3477&mi=10
- Aircraft: N880A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N880A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 414 (registry code 2075908, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, sport pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 985 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN24FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA010) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231012018219A

## Narrative

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

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^EXPERIENCED AN EMERGENCY EVENT.

DURING CLIMB OUT, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A SUGARCANE FIELD APPROX. 300 YARDS AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY, KILLING BOTH OCCUPANTS ONBOARD.

IT IS LIKELY THE RIGHT ENGINE SUSTAINED EITHER A PARTIAL OR A FULL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO THE MULTIPLE FRACTURED VALVE SPRINGS FOUND DURING ENGINE TEARDOWN INSPECTION. IT WAS UNDETERMINED WHAT TYPE OF ENGINE POWER LOSS OCCURRED (EITHER A PARTIAL LOSS OR FULL OF ENGINE POWER).

THIS REPORT MAY BE AMENDED AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS RECEIVED.

## 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 CEN24FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA010), Oct 12, 2023: Cessna 414 (N880A), Patterson, LA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to properly set the elevator trim before takeoff, which resulted in an exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall during takeoff.

## Other reports on N880A (1)

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

- [Incident 20160414003689I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160414003689I), Apr 14, 2016: Cessna 414 (N880A), Eden Prairie, MN, Minor damage. Pilot reported that a normal approach was made to runway 10-R at fcm with a right crosswind. Aircraft touched down on center of runway with right main gear…

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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