# NTSB CEN09LA281: Cessna 551, N740JB, Stillwater, OK, May 5, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 2009, 14:49 local (19:49 UTC)
- Place: Stillwater, OK
- Coordinates: 36.733333, -96.833335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7333&lon=-96.8333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO, Cessna Aircraft Company
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73790/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73790
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA281

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control for undetermined reasons.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md)
- [Auto flight system: autopilot system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022210): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022210/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022210/cases.md)
- [Indicating/recording systems](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023100/cases.md)
- [Navigation system: attitude gyro & indication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023421): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023421/cases.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023421/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Enroute-cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Flight instrument malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/334/sequence.md)
- [Enroute-cruise: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 551, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2076605), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after leveling off at 16,000 feet with the autopilot engaged, he began to review his charts preparing for landing. When he went back to a visual scan of the instruments, he noted that the flight director was flagged off and that both the pilot and co-pilot attitude indicators were off. The pilot declared an emergency with air traffic control, reduced the throttles to idle, and pulled back on the controls. After the airplane came out of the bottom of the clouds and the pilot regained visual contact with the ground, the airplane was in a 60-degree left turn at approximately 80 knots of airspeed. After the pilot regained control, the flight director and all instruments began working again. The pilot then re-engaged the autopilot and continued to his destination, where he landed without further incident. Examination of the flight director system, gyros, and attitude indicators at the aircraft manufacturer’s facilities failed to identify a failure or malfunction with the flight instruments.

## Factual narrative

On May 5, 2009 at 1449 central daylight time a Cessna Citation model 551, N740JB experienced temporary loss of control while in cruise flight at 16,000 feet. The airline transport pilot (ATP) and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the loss of control. The airplane and operated by Ballard Aviation, Incorporated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions prevailed, which operated on an IFR flight plan. The flight originated at Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO), Stillwater, Oklahoma, at 1430, with a destination of Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (ICT), Wichita, Kansas. In a written statement provided to the NTSB the pilot reported that after leveling at 16,000 feet with the autopilot engaged he began to review his charts preparing for landing at ICT. When he scanned the instruments, he noted the flight director was flagged off; and both the pilot and co-pilot attitude indicators were off. He declared an emergency with air traffic control (ATC), reduced the throttles to idle, and pulled back on the controls. The pilot added that as the airspeed approached 200 knots, he lowered the landing gear. When the airplane broke through the bottom of the clouds, the airplane was in a 60-degree left turn and approximately 80 knots of airspeed. The ATP managed to regained control of the airplane and level the airplane at approximately 6,100 feet. The flight director and all instruments began working again and he ATP re-engaged the autopilot and continued to ICT where he landed without further incident. The airplane was recovered to the Cessna aircraft company facilities in Wichita, Kansas for examination. Inspection of the airframe revealed that structural damage to the airplane’s fuselage and wings, during the recovery from the rapid decent. Flight instruments including the flight director system, gyros, and attitude indicators were removed and examined for evidence of failure or malfunction. No anomalies were found and the described failures could not be duplicated.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N740JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N740JB-2010-09-13), registration cancelled 2010-09-13, S/N 551-0359, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 551
- Registry model: [Cessna 551](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-551) (registry code 2076605) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-jt15d-4-series) (registry code 52112, turbo-fan) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 551-0359
- Airframe hours: 5125
- Engines: P&W CANADA JT15D-4 turbo jet; P&W CANADA JT15D-4 2500 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ballard Aviation Inc, doing business as Personal Part 91 flight
- Registered owner: Ballard Aviation Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, April 29, 2009
- Departed: KSWO, Stillwater, OK
- Destination: KICT, Wichita, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: KSWO, 25 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 20090505008649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090505008649A), May 5, 2009: Cessna 551, Stillwater, OK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated the autopilot in the "on" position and functioning when he leveled off at 16,000 feet in IMC conditions. He started updating his…

## Docket (14 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73790. 7.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 905 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Maps or Charts of Accident Area, Wreckage Diagrams - Radar dicpicting flight path (item 2, .PDF, 419 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maps%20or%20Charts%20of%20Accident%20Area,%20Wreckage%20Diagrams%20%20-%20Radar%20dicpicting%20flight%20path-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Radio Communications - CVR (item 4, .PDF, 606 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325262&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Radio%20Communications%20-%20CVR-Master.PDF
- Transcript of Radio Communications - ATC (item 5, .PDF, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325263&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Radio%20Communications%20-%20ATC-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 Right wing damage (item 6, .PDF, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346909&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Right%20wing%20damage-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 Left wing damage (item 7, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20Left%20wing%20damage-Master.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation Standby Attitude Indicator Testing (item 8, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346903&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20Standby%20Attitude%20Indicator%20Testing-Redacted.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Gyro Testing (item 9, .PDF, 810 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325266&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Gyro%20Testing-Redacted.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Inverter testing (item 10, .PDF, 540 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Inverter%20testing-Redacted.PDF
- Reports from Parties to the Investigation - Lightning Strike Inspection (item 11, .PDF, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325269&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Parties%20to%20the%20Investigation%20-%20Lightning%20Strike%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports - Maintenance Records Extract (item 12, .PDF, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325270&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20-%20Maintenance%20Records%20Extract-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 13, .PDF, 87 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40325271&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF
- Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 14, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40346906&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF

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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