# NTSB ATL83FA337: Cessna 414A, N5ER, Marion, NC, August 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1983, 22:00 local (Aug 23, 1983, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Marion, NC
- Location: 35.6762° N, 82.0008° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Marion, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6762&lon=-82.0008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5944
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83FA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5944/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83FA337

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, AT 85 KTS, THE ACFT HIT A BUMP & THE PLT STATED HIS FORWARD VISION WAS OBSTRUCTED BY WATER ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE INSTINCTIVELY PULLED BACK ON THE CONTROLS & BECOME AIRBORNE. HE LOST SIGHT OF THE RIGHT SIDE SET OF RWY LIGHTS & WAS REPORTEDLY FLYING 'BLIND.' THE ACFT DRIFTED LEFT INTO TREES & CAME TO REST IN SHALLOW WATER IN A BACKWATER AREA 150 FT NORTH OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 10. MANY OF THE RWY LIGHTS WERE EITHER NOT OPERATING OR WERE OBSTRUCTED. NO LIGHTS IN THE LAST 1000 FT OF THE RWY WERE BOTH OPERATING & UNOBSTRUCTED. THE NOAA ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTOR CONTAINS A REMARK FOR THE ARPT 'RUNWAY SUBJECT TO FLOODING AFTER VERY HEAVY RAINS.' THIS REMARK DOES NOT APPEARIN THE JEPPESEN 'AIRPORT DIRECTORY' THAT THE PLT WAS USING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE PLT STATED HE WALKED THROUGH THE EASTERN END OF THE RWY & FOUND HIMSELF 'UP TO HIS ANKLES' IN ABOUT 3 INCHES OF WATER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - charts/other manuals - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not identified, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - inadequate, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - notams - not issued, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5ER-1983-10-18), registration cancelled 1983-10-18, S/N 414A0037 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A0037
- Airframe hours: 1582
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Country Club Homes, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 22, 1983, 97 hours before
- Departed: 9A9
- Destination: RDU, RALEIGH, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 9A9, Shiflet Field, runway 10, 3,340 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,372 total, 1,571 in this make and model, 15,982 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft unknown
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830822045389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830822045389A), Aug 22, 1983: Cessna 414A, Marion, NC, Destroyed. Water and mud splashed on windshield on takeoff roll from a soggy strip. Aircraft veered into trees after liftoff.

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.

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