# NTSB CHI91LA034: Cessna 401, N10QP, Grand Island, NE, November 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1990, 10:37 local (16:37 UTC)
- Place: Grand Island, NE
- Coordinates: 40.950923, -98.290245 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9509&lon=-98.2902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14959/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA034

## Probable cause

FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FLARE MISJUDGED. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ICING CONDITIONS RESULTING IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT CONTROLLABILITY AND RESTRICTED VISUAL OUTLOOK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - reduced, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF HE ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO HEAVY ICING CONDITIONS. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE APT, AND WAS OBSERVED BY ATC PERSONNEL TO MAKE AN ERRATIC FINAL APPROACH, THEN DROPPING FROM ABOUT 20 FEET AGL TO THE RUNWAY. PILOT WAS ABLE TO TAXI THE ACFT TO THE RAMP WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT, BUT POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED BOTH WING SPARS DAMAGED AND A DAMAGED RIGHT PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10QP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10QP-1993-03-29), registration cancelled 1993-03-29, S/N 4010025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0025
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Suburban Air Freight Inc.
- Destination: EAR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GRI, Grand Island, runway 35, 1,001 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,804 total, 2,658 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GRI

## 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 19901127053449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901127053449A), Nov 27, 1990: Cessna 401, Grand Island, NE, Substantial damage. Made hard landing due to ice on airframe and windshield ice. Was advised icing prior flight.

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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