# NTSB CHI97LA066: Cessna 414, N414AM, Springfield, MO, January 27, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 1997, 13:41 local (19:41 UTC) - Place: Springfield, MO - Location: 37.2153° N, 93.2982° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Springfield, MO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2153&lon=-93.2982&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10518 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10518/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA066 ## Probable cause the pilot's continued flight into known icing conditions with an inadequate windscreen deicing system and the diminished visual lookout. Factors were the icing weather conditions and the windscreen ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor) - anti-ice/deice system - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - diminished (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The tower controller reported that the airplane touched down on runway 2 abeam the north VASI, 'left of centerline.' The left main landing gear departed the runway to the left two different times prior to the runway 32 intersection. 'The aircraft veered further left... the nose gear collapsed, and the aircraft did a 180 degree turn.' The passenger reported that he could see ice on the windscreen during the approach. From where he was sitting, he 'could not see through it due to ice.' During a preflight weather briefing, the pilot was advised of PIREPs for icing along the route and NOTAMs concerning thin ice on the runway at Springfield. Photographs of the airplane taken by fire and rescue personnel immediately following the accident exhibit the windscreen obscured by rime ice. The airplane was equipped with an alcohol windscreen deicing system and no electric windscreen heat. The Cessna 414 pilot's operating handbook specifies an 'electric anti-icing pilot's windshield' must be installed for flight into icing conditions. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 1997, at 1341 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 414, N414AM, sustained substantial damage when it departed the runway during landing roll in Springfield, Missouri. The airline transport rated pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91, business flight originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 1200, with a planned destination of Springfield, Missouri. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. A tower controller who observed the accident reported that the airplane touched down on runway 02, abeam the north VASI, "left of centerline." The left main landing gear departed the runway to the left two different times prior to the runway 32 intersection. "The aircraft veered further left... the nose gear collapsed, and the aircraft did a 180 degree turn." In his written statement, the pilot reported "after touchdown... the plane veered to the left and struck a taxi sign." The passenger reported that he could see ice on the windscreen during the approach. From where he was sitting, he "could not see through it due to ice." He wrote "the plane seemed to skid or swerve sideways from the moment we landed." A briefer at the Nashville Flight Service Station reported that he briefed the pilot of N414AM at 1106 cst. He gave him a summary of "pertinent adverse conditions, the synoptic conditions, and the current and forecasted weather along his route of flight." He advised the pilot of PIREPs for cloud layers and icing along the route and NOTAMs concerning thin ice on the runway at Springfield. An icing airmet was in effect for occasional moderate rime ice below flight level 180 and isolated severe mixed icing conditions. According to a statement by a tower controller in the Springfield Air Traffic Control Tower, the controller queried the pilot for a PIREP when the airplane was on 12 mile final. The pilot reported "one half inch of rime ice" and "pretty moderate" icing conditions. Local authorities who reported to the accident site reported weather conditions at the time of the accident were "freezing rain and sleet." Photographs of the airplane, taken by fire and rescue personnel immediately following the accident, exhibit the windscreen obscured by rime ice. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the airplane reported the airplane was equipped with an alcohol windscreen deicing system and no electric windscreen heat. He reported no evidence of mechanical failure or preimpact malfunction. The Cessna 414 pilot's operating handbook specifies an "electric anti-icing pilot's windshield" must be installed for flight into icing conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N414AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N414AM), registered now, S/N 414A0850, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 414 - Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 414-0813 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Trace Aviation - Registered owner: Berry Chester - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN - Destination: SGI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SGF, Springfield Regional, runway 2, 7,003 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 24,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 17 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGI ## 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 19970127000899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970127000899A), Jan 27, 1997: Cessna 414, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. Swerved and skidded sideway landing. Ice on airframe windshield and runway. Freezing rain. No heated windshield. 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.