# NTSB CHI84FA278: Cessna 414A, N59DB, Winchester, IN, July 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1984, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Winchester, IN
- Coordinates: 40.169231, -84.970413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1692&lon=-84.9704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA278
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA278

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - flight advisories - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - separation (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENTERED AN EMBEDDED THUNDERSTORM AFTER BEING ADVISED BY ARTC OF SEVERAL LARGE AREAS OF HEAVY PRECIP IN HIS AREA& ALONG THE VICINITY OF HIS FLT PATH. THE PLTS RESPONSE WAS THAT HIS ACFT RADAR SHOWED NO BUILD-UPS OR RETURNS. ATC ALLOWED DEVIATIONS AT PLTS DISCRETION ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED TAPED CONVERSATION. THE PLT CONTINUED HIS FLT PATH & WASLOST ON RADAR SHORTLY THEREAFTER IN A DESCENDING RT TURN AT 16800 FT MSL. WITNESSES SAW HIM EXIT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLOUDAT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL. THE WINGS WERE SEEN TO SEPARATE FROM THE FUSELAGE. OTHER WITNESSES SAW THE FUSELAGE DESCEND INVERTED, MINUS THE WINGS, EMPANNAGE & ENGINES, TO IMPACT IN A CORN FLD. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA 1 & 1/2MILES LONG & 1/2 MILE WIDE. WITNESSES WHO HAD OBSERVED THE ACFTS PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE DESCRIBED IT AS 'MASS CONFUSION' IN THE COCKPIT. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY CREPT FOWARD SIX TIMES DURING AN EXTENDED 10-15 MINUTE CHECKLIST WHILE THE ENGINES WERE RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM SETTING ON A RAMP WITH OTHER ACFT & PEOPLE AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59DB-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 414A0260 (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: 4140260
- Airframe hours: 1164
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Captivator Ventures Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 23, 1983, 952 hours before
- Departed: FTW, FT. WAYNE, IN
- Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 650 total, 200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWA, 50 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 19840705029909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840705029909A), Jul 5, 1984: Cessna 414A, Winchester, IN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control in clouds. Inflight aircraft failure. Pilot intoxicated with alcohol. No medical certificate.

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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