# NTSB DEN92FA081: Cessna 402A, N4504Q, Holyoke, CO, August 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1992, 18:00 local (Aug 5, 1992, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Holyoke, CO
- Coordinates: 40.580802, -102.300537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5808&lon=-102.3005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18157
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18157/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA081

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FEATHER THE FAILED ENGINE PROPELLER.  A FACTOR WAS:  POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE RIGHT ENGINE ON THE AIR TAXI FLIGHT LOST POWER AT ABOUT THE TIME THE AIRPLANE CROSSED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD RETRACTED THE LANDING GEAR AND HAD INITIATED PROPELLER FEATHER.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED WHEELS UP IN A CORN FIELD APPROXIMATELY 140 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND 400 FEET TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE.  VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER PROVIDED NO EVIDENCE OF PROPELLER FEATHERING AND THE PROPELLER CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE FULL INCREASE RPM POSITION.  THE PILOT SAID HE REFUELED THE AIRPLANE AT THE AIRPORT THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND SUSPECTED FUEL CONTAMINATION.  FUEL SAMPLES WERE SUBMITTED TO THREE DIFFERENT AND INDEPENDENT LABORATORIES.  NO ANOMALIES WERE REPORTED. THE ENGINE WAS PARTIALLY DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED.  NO DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4504Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4504Q-2017-06-08), registration cancelled 2017-06-08, S/N 402A0004, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402A
- Registry model: [Cessna 402A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402a) (registry code 207590M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402A-0004
- Airframe hours: 4602
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Capital Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Capital Aviation Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 6, 1992, 11 hours before
- Departed: 8V5
- Destination: BIS, BISMARCK, ND
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 8V5, Holyoke, runway 17, 3,600 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 74; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 50,000 total, 227 in this make and model, 44,000 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AKO, 49 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 19920804028989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920804028989A), Aug 4, 1992: Cessna 402A, Holyoke, CO, Substantial damage. Reported right engine quit on initial climb. Unable fly. Settled into cornfield. No cause for power loss found.

## Other investigations on N4504Q (3)

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.

- [NTSB DEN82DA079](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA079), May 7, 1982: Cessna 402A (N4504Q), Bismarck, ND, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA75AS045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75AS045), Jun 15, 1975: Cessna 402A (N4504Q), Seattle, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC73AA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73AA053), Jun 26, 1973: Cessna 402A (N4504Q), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage

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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