# NTSB CHI05CA051: Cessna 414A, N194JA, Harbor Springs, MI, January 9, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 9, 2005, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Harbor Springs, MI - Coordinates: 45.425556, -84.91333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4256&lon=-84.9133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration; Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60904 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05CA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60904/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05CA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation by his failure to remove the accumulated airframe ice which resulted in deteriorated aircraft takeoff performance. Airframe ice, the snow bank and the fence were contributing factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - deteriorated - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane impacted a snow bank and fence during an aborted takeoff. The pilot landed about 15 minutes prior to the accident to pick-up his passengers. He stated that the airframe "encountered light ice" during his descent and he "activated the deice boots" during the instrument approach. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane prior to departing MGN. He stated that there was "no significant ice on the aircraft" during the preflight inspection. The pilot stated that when the airplane reached rotation speed during takeoff it "felt mushy" and he "immediately decided to abort the takeoff." The pilot stated that the aircraft slid on some snow at the departure end of the runway and impacted a snow bank and fence. Photos were taken by responding local law enforcement and FAA inspectors that show leading edge ice on the wings, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical stabilizer. An FAA inspector reported that the leading edge ice was about 1/4-inch thick. During preflight pilots should "remove all frost, snow, and ice from aircraft surfaces because even very small amounts may adversely affect the aerodynamic properties of a wing," according to a FAA publication. During preflight pilots should check the deice boots for "tears, abrasions, and cleanliness," according to the Cessna 414A Pilot Operating Handbook. ## Factual narrative On January 9, 2005, at 1800 eastern standard time, a Cessna 414A, N194JA, piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Harbor Springs Airport (MGN), Harbor Springs, Michigan. The airplane impacted a snow bank and airport fence situated off the departure end of runway 28 (4,257 feet by 75 feet, asphalt). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 with an instrument flight plan on file with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The pilot and his four passengers were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of Marion Municipal Airport (MNN), Marion, Ohio. The pilot reported that he had landed at MGN around 1745 to pickup his passengers. He stated that the airframe "encountered light ice" during his descent into MGN and he "activated the deice boots" during the instrument approach. The pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane prior to departing MGN. He stated that there was "no significant ice on the aircraft" during the preflight inspection. The pilot reported that at departure the airplane was about 300 pounds under maximum gross weight. The pilot stated that when the airplane reached rotation speed during takeoff it "felt mushy" and he "immediately decided to abort the takeoff." He reported that he aborted the takeoff "slightly beyond" the halfway point of runway 28. The pilot stated that the aircraft slid on some snow at the departure end of the runway and impacted a snow bank and fence. In a subsequent statement the pilot reported that there "was no ice on any leading edges or on top of [an] airfoil" during the aircraft preflight. Emmet County Sheriff Department responded to the accident site. Photographs were taken by the responding officers that show ice accumulation on the leading edges of the wings and vertical stabilizer. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors examined the airplane on January 10, 2005. FAA photos show ice accumulation on the leading edges of the wings and the horizontal stabilizer. An FAA inspector reported that there was about 1/4-inch of leading edge ice on the horizontal stabilizer during their examination. "The wing, when contaminated with ice, will ordinarily stall at a lower AOA [angle-of-attack], and thus at a higher airspeed," according to FAA publication "Pilot Guide - Flight in Icing Conditions." The publication states that "even small amounts of ice, particularly if rough" could affect the stalling AOA. The publication also states that during preflight pilots should "remove all frost, snow, and ice from aircraft surfaces because even very small amounts may adversely affect the aerodynamic properties of a wing." During preflight pilots should check the deice boots for "tears, abrasions, and cleanliness," according to the Cessna 414A Pilot Operating Handbook. ## Aircraft - Registration: N194JA (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna 414A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 414A0837 - Airframe hours: 5447.7 - Engines: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-NB 325 horsepower reciprocating; Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-NB 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: J A Investments - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: MGN, Harbor Springs, MI - Destination: MNN, Marion, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: MGN, Harbor Springs Airport, runway 28, 4,157 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,019 total, 628 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: MGN, 1 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 20050109002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050109002479A), Jan 9, 2005: Cessna 414A, Harbor Springs, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On approach into Harbor Springs, MI (kmgn) pilot noticed slight ice accumulation and activated de-ice boots. After landing at approximately 1745, he… 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.