# NTSB CHI94LA227: Cessna 441, N815MC, Flint, MI, July 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1994, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Flint, MI - Coordinates: 42.969326, -83.719459 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9693&lon=-83.7195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9591 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA227 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9591/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA227 ## Probable cause AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE UNLATCHED NOSE CARGO DOORS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb - door,cargo/baggage - unlatched (contributing factor) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - door,cargo/baggage - open - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS OPENED SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. HE SAID HE RETARDED THE POWER LEVERS AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR UP. A WITNESS SAID THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AS SOON AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS OPEN SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1994, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Cessna 441, N815MC, registered to Rico Marketing of Flint, Michigan, and piloted by an airline transport rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an aborted takeoff on runway 27 (7,200' X 150' dry concrete) at the Bishop International Airport, Flint, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was the only occupant in the airplane and reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Flint, Michigan, when the accident occurred. The pilot's written statement indicates he "...experienced a substantial power loss..." during takeoff and he "...elected to put the aircraft back on the runway... ." The pilot said that "... time was insufficient to extend the landing gear." During an interview the pilot stated that both lefthand baggage doors opened as the airplane lifted off the runway. He said he reduced power and landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The airplane's owner said that he would park the airplane in the hangar with the baggage doors unlatched. He said he did this to keep from having to unlatch the doors during preflights. One witness stated he observed the airplane liftoff the runway followed by an immediate gear retraction and the baggage doors opening. He said that shortly after the doors opened he heard the engine sound stop and saw the airplane descend to the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: N815MC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 441 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 441-0263 - Engines: GARRETT TPE331-10 800 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rico Marketing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Destination: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Airport: FNT, Bishop International, runway 27, 7,200 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 12,150 total, 550 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F - Observed at: FNT, 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 19940701017239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940701017239A), Jul 1, 1994: Cessna 441, Flint, MI, Substantial damage. Nose baggage doors opened on climbout. Aborted. Landed gear up. Had retracted gear too soon. Failed lock doors. 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.