# NTSB DCA82AA008: Cessna 414A, N2620L, Ashland, VA, January 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1982, 17:04 local (22:04 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, VA
- Location: 37.7604° N, 77.4724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ashland, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7604&lon=-77.4724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 3, 1983
- Report: Board-adopted at Board Meeting
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA82AA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69814/pdf
- Board report AAR8212 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8212.pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA82AA008

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, circling (ifr)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT RECEIVED 2 WX BRIEFINGS, ONE ON THE EVENING BFR THE FLT, ANOTHER AT 1009 EST, WITHIN 3 HRS OF THE TKOF TIME. IFR CONDITIONS WERE FORCASTED AT THE UNCONTROLLED, DESTINATION ARPT. THE PLT FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN, BUT DID NOT LIST AN ALTERNATE ARPT. THE ACFT DEPARTED BOCA ROTON, FL AT 1257 EST. THE FLT WAS UNEVENTFUL EN ROUTE & ALL COMMUNICATIONS WERE NORMAL. DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR 3 APCH TO RWY 16. THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) FOR THE APCH WAS 800 FT MSL (595 FT AGL) AND THE MIN VIS WAS 1 MI. SVRL WITNESSES AT & NEAR THE ARPT SAW OR HEARD THE ACFT. THEY DESCRIBED THE ACFT AS CROSSING THE ARPT FROM THE WEST SIDE TO THE EAST. THOSE WHO SAW IT DESCRIBED IT TO BE APRX 150 TO 200 FT AGL, IN & OUT OF THE CLDS. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT THEN CIRCLED & CROSSED THE ARPT AGAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK AN 80 FT TREE, THEN IMPACTED THE GND IN A STEEP DESCENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OF MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR PWRPLNT BFR IMPACT. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 46 LBS OVR THE MAX GROSS WT LMT DURING IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2620L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2620L-1983-01-06), registration cancelled 1983-01-06, S/N 414A0299, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ashland Properties
- Registered owner: Ashland Properties
- Departed: C, BOCA RATON, FL
- Destination: C, ASHLAND, VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Hanover County, runway 16, 4,650 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,809 total, 250 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 99 °F

## 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 19820103082739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820103082739A), Jan 3, 1982: Cessna 414A, Ashland, VA, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Pilot descended below minimum descent altitude and crashed into trees during VOR instrument approach.

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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