# NTSB ERA10CA436: Cessna 414, N77RL, Bedford, PA, August 19, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2010, 06:40 local (10:40 UTC)
- Place: Bedford, PA
- Coordinates: 40.086112, -78.513336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0861&lon=-78.5133&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 11, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA / FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA436
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77036/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77036
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA436

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to establish a proper climb gradient during a departure in instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a collision with trees.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md)
- [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low ceiling](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 190 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035010/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095); cases with it: [Cessna 414A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=2075907), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he departed on an instrument flight and estimated that the visibility was over one-half mile. During the initial climb, about 1 to 2 miles from the runway, the airplane collided with trees while in instrumental meteorological conditions (IMC). The airplane continued to climb and shortly thereafter, departed IMC. The pilot noted the damage to both wings’ leading edges and observed fuel leaking. He advised air traffic control of his situation and declared an emergency. During the approach to a nearby airport, he attempted to lower the landing gear and received an unsafe nose gear indication which would not extend. The pilot landed on the main landing gear and delayed lowering the nose for as long as possible, until the propeller came in contact with the surface. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the empennage in addition to the damage incurred during the collision with trees. A witness at the departing airport stated that ground visibility was poor during the time of the accident. The closest weather observation, located about 16 miles from the airport, recorded calm wind, visibility at ¾ status miles, 100 feet vertical visibility, and fog near the time of departure. The published takeoff minimums and (obstacle) departure procedures for the departing airport stated the minimum climb gradient was 300 feet per nautical mile. The pilot reported no discrepancies with the airplane prior to the accident flight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he departed for the filed instrument flight rules (IFR) flight and estimated that the visibility was over ½ mile. The takeoff was with full power, rotation took place at an estimated 95 knots and approximately halfway down the runway. The pilot established a climb attitude of 10 to 12 degrees. With a positive rate of climb, the gear was selected to the retract position and a runway 32 heading was maintained. Between 1 to 2 miles from the runway, the airplane collided with something, later determined to be trees, while in instrumental meteorological conditions (IMC). The airplane was still climbing and shortly thereafter, was out of IMC. Damage to both wings’ leading edges, and leaking fuel was apparent. The pilot advised air traffic control and declared an emergency. He was given an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to runway 30 at a nearby airport. The pilot intercepted the localizer for runway 30, and at 3 miles out, he attempted to lower the landing gear. There was an unsafe nose gear indication, and it would not lower. The pilot elected to land on the main landing gear and hold off lowering the nose for as long as possible; eventually it made contact with the runway along with the propeller blades. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane once it came to a stop. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed damage to the empennage in addition to the damage incurred during the collision with trees. A witness at the departing airport stated that ground visibility was poor during the time the airplane departed. The closest weather observation from the departing airport was northeast, 16 miles away. It recorded winds calm, visibility at ¾ status miles at 100 feet vertical visibility, and fog near the time of departure. The published takeoff minimums and (obstacle) departure procedures for the departing airport stated that for runway 32 visibility, “1500-3 or std. with a minimum climb gradient of 300’ per NM” and “climb to 4100’ before turning on course.” The pilot did not report any discrepancies with the airplane prior to the accident fight. Departure runway elevation was about 1,150 feet, while maximum terrain elevation 1 to 2 miles from the departure end of the runway was about 1,300 feet.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77RL-2011-07-19), registration cancelled 2011-07-19, S/N 414A0211, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414 (A)
- 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: 414A0211
- Airframe hours: 6255
- Engines: Continental TSIO520 310 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 2010, 6,255 hours before
- Departed: HMZ, Bedford, PA
- Destination: EYE, Indianpolis, IN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HMZ, Bedford County, runway 32, 5,005 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 21, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 3,060 total, 32 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: AOO, 16 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 20100819055859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100819055859A), Aug 19, 2010: Cessna 414A, Bedford, PA, Destroyed. On August 19, 2010 at approximately 0630 the aircraft departed Bedford County Airport (hmz), Bedford pa, on an IFR flight to eagle creek airpark (eye),…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77036. 1.6 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 763 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Other Pertinent Forms and Reports: Statements. (item 2, .PDF, 375 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%3A%20Statements.-Redacted.PDF
- Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 290 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF
- Miscellaneous: Takeoff Minimums and(Obstacle) Departure Procedures. (item 4, .PDF, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20Takeoff%20Minimums%20and(Obstacle)%20Departure%20Procedures.-Master.PDF

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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