# NTSB CHI85LA077: Cessna 402C, N115EA, Troy, MI, December 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 21:30 local (Dec 27, 1984, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Location: 42.6056° N, 83.1499° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Troy, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6056&lon=-83.1499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12977
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12977/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA077

## 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
  - terrain condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not performed, airport personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB FROM RWY 27 AT OAKLAND-TROY AIRPORT, TROY,MI, WHILE ON A CORPORATE FLT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT APPROX 3 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW HAD FALLEN AT THE ARPT DURING THE DAY & THE SNOW HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE RWY THAT EVENING. A WITNESS REPORTED THERE WAS 5 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE RWY & IT WAS SNOWING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT 'SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT YAWED, THEN VEERED RIGHT. UPON CORRECTING THIS CONDITION LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND.' WHEN THE RIGHT ENG WAS TESTED A SMALL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AT THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE LEFT ENG WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY FIRE & COULD NOT BE TESTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N115EA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C-0090
- Airframe hours: 1593
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Avco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1983, 6 hours before
- Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI
- Destination: 5I0, PIKEVILLE, KY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 7D2, Oaklano-Troy, runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 11,158 total, 2,700 in this make and model, 10,733 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET

## 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 19841226069669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226069669A), Dec 26, 1984: Cessna 402C, Troy, MI, Destroyed. Attempted takeoff downwind with snow on runway. Struck trees and fence and intense ground fire erupted.

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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