# NTSB DEN85FA141: Cessna 414, N333AA, Billings, MT, May 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1985, 14:52 local (20:52 UTC)
- Place: Billings, MT
- Coordinates: 45.650779, -108.379455 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6508&lon=-108.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16540
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16540/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA141

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MAKING A SHORT (35 MINUTES) LOCAL FLT TO 'CHECK N333AA OVER' BEFORE TURNING IT OVER TO ITS NEW OWNER. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A STEEP DESCENT, WINGS LEVEL, ATTITUDE DURING AN ENTRY INTO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT BILLINGS, MONTANA. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. WITNESSES SAID THE ENGINES WERE OPERATING AND THERE WAS NO APPARENT ATTEMPT BY THE PLT TO AVOID THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N333AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0476
- Airframe hours: 3433
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynch Flying Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 6 hours before
- Departed: BIL, BILLINGS, MT
- Airport: BIL, Billings Logal Int'L, runway 27, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 19,633 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIL, 3 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 19850524020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850524020639A), May 24, 1985: Cessna 414, Billings, MT, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted terrain during local test flight. Suspect pilot suffered ventricular arrhythmia during operation.

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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