# NTSB ATL93FA058: Cessna 402B, N69402, Geneva, AL, February 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1993, 10:43 local (16:43 UTC)
- Place: Geneva, AL
- Coordinates: 31.030099, -85.869758 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0301&lon=-85.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8684
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8684/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93FA058

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROLLABLE AIRSPEED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TREES AND TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AERIAL PHOTO FLIGHT WAS COMMENCING WITH THE PILOT AND OPERATOR ON BOARD. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINES SOUNDED GOOD ON THE GROUND AND DURING THE T/O GROUND ROLL. AT ABOUT 30 TO 40 FEET AGL, HE HEARD 'SURGING' SOUNDS FROM THE AIRPLANE. HE THEN OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SHALLOW RIGHT HAND TURN AS IT APPROACHED DEPARTURE END TREES. HE THEN SAW THE AIRCRAFT ROLL OFF TO THE LEFT, INTO THE TREES IN A STEEP, NOSE LOW, LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES AND FIRE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE MAIN WRECKAGE WAS FOUND INVERTED. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINES DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. EXAM OF BOTH TURBOCHARGERS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. EXAM OF BOTH PROPELLERS REVEALED EVIDENCE OF BLADE TIP TWISTING TOWARD LOW PITCH AND SOME FORWARD BENDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69402](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69402-1993-12-06), registration cancelled 1993-12-06, S/N 402B0535 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0535
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Lewis, Geoffrey D.
- Registered owner: Sanderlin, D.C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 33J
- Destination: 33J
- Airport: 33J, Geneva Municipal, runway 29, 3,984 × 98 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,750 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 27 nm away

## 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 19930214002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930214002349A), Feb 14, 1993: Cessna 402B, Geneva, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine surge on climbout. Rolled to right into trees. Right fuel selector off. Props flat pitch. Engines poor shape

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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