# NTSB CEN19LA300: Cessna 425, N300GD, Bethany, OK, August 25, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 25, 2019, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bethany, OK - Coordinates: 35.534168, -97.646942 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5342&lon=-97.6469&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN19LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100190/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100190 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA300 ## Probable cause A loss of control during the initial climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion. ## 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 425, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2076018), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 425, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2076018), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 425, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2076018), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 425, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076018), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing on a local flight to test a repaired autopilot. Just after takeoff, the airplane began to yaw to the left and right, and the pilot determined that directional control was not possible. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff, reduced the power to idle, and landed gear-up on the remaining runway. The airplane slid off the end of the runway onto a concrete pad, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the flight controls and throttle quadrant controls did not reveal any anomalies. The reason for the yaw and loss of directional control after takeoff could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 2019, about 1500 central daylight time, a Cessna 425 airplane, N300GD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bethany, Oklahoma. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he planned to fly the airplane locally to test a repaired autopilot. After a normal preflight and engine runup, the pilot initiated the takeoff. After confirming a positive rate of climb, the pilot raised the landing gear and confirmed it was locked in the retracted position. Suddenly, the airplane yawed to the right and left. The pilot determined that directional control was not possible, so he decided to abort the takeoff, reduced the power to idle, and landed gear-up on the remaining runway. The airplane slid off the end of the runway onto a concrete pad, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. Examination of the airplane’s flight control system at the accident site did not reveal any anomalies. All controls from the cockpit to the flight control surfaces were connected and appeared normal. Further examination of the throttle quadrant and linkages from the quadrant to the engine, including power levers, propeller levers, and fuel condition levers, were conducted at a secure facility. All quadrant levers moved freely and smooth without binding. The friction lock on the right side of the quadrant was found backed off completely with no friction applied. The friction lock was adjusted to apply friction and functioned properly. Both right and left engine power lever connections were connected properly to their respective engines. With the power levers disconnected from the fuel control units (FCUs), the input levers (left and right) on each FCU moved smoothly. All power controls levers and cables were connected and functioned normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300GD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300GD-2020-02-04), registration cancelled 2020-02-04, S/N 425-0074, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 425 (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 425](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-425) (registry code 2076018) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-112](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-canada-pt6a-112) (registry code 52255, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 425-0074 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 6014 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney PT6A 600 horsepower turbo prop; Pratt & Whitney PT6A 600 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Downing Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Downing Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 2018 - Departed: PWA, Bethany, OK - Destination: PWA, Bethany, OK - Airport: PWA, Wiley Post, runway 17L, 7,199 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 27, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,300 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: PWA ## 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 20190825018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190825018089A), Aug 25, 2019: Cessna 425, Bethany, OK, Substantial damage. On aug 25, 2019 a Cessna 425 conquest departed from wiley post airport (pwa), Bethany, Oklahoma. After becoming airborne with the landing gear up, the pilot… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 11, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100190. 7.0 MB in all. - NTSB form 6120 pilot operator report CEN19LA300 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 5.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13047062&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report%20CEN19LA300_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record pilot statement summary CEN19LA300 (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13046530&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Pilot%20Statement%20Summary%20CEN19LA300_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for the record flight controls and throttle quadrant examination findings CEN19LA300 (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 155 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13046987&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20the%20Record%20Flight%20Controls%20and%20Throttle%20Quadrant%20Examination%20Findings%20CEN19LA300_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN19LA300 (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 957 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13045328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN19LA300-Rel.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.