# NTSB DEN85FA015: Cessna 414-8, N1597T, Cheyenne, WY, October 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1984, 13:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Cheyenne, WY
- Coordinates: 41.13903, -104.7901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1390&lon=-104.7901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA015

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED THE AIRPORT IN IFR CONDITIONS (SNOWING) & WAS OBSERVED STAGGERING INTO THE AIR. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT STRUCK POWER LINES & CRASHED INTO HOMES IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED ICE & IN ADDITION WAS OVER CERTIFIED MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME, FLT CONTROL OR ENGINE FAILURE/MALFUNCTION PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1597T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1597T-2012-10-15), registration cancelled 2012-10-15, S/N 414-0377, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414-8
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414-0377
- Airframe hours: 18035
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-B1BD 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Metropolitan Intl Invest & Sec
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: CYS, CHEYENNE, WY
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 13,200 total, 12,800 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CYS, 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 19841020057279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841020057279A), Oct 20, 1984: Cessna STC414, Cheyenne, WY, Destroyed. Took off 811 pounds over gross with snow on wings. Struck powerlines and a house, killing a resident.

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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