# NTSB ERA21LA281: Cessna 402A, N4550Q, Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 2, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 2, 2021, 07:10 local (11:10 UTC)
- Place: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.198175, -80.171828
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1982&lon=-80.1718&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/ FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103448/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103448
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA281

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff with a fogged wind screen and sun glare, which resulted in a runway excursion and a collision with a taxiway sign.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Light condition: glare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 109 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036030/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031000/cases.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 402A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=207590M), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during takeoff, the forward wind screen began to fog and became progressively worse. As he increased the pitch for rotation, all forward visibility was obscured when the sun glare moved directly into his eyes and combined with the condensation on the wind screen. Shortly after rotation, the airplane impacted a taxiway directional sign on the right side of the runway with the left main landing gear. The pilot returned and landed without incident. A post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The operator reported that they updated their operating procedures to formalize the requirement during preflight to remove any debris or condensation from the windscreen, which may include the use of hot water. In addition, the subjects of windscreen cleanliness and sunshade devices were added to their training manual.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4550Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4550Q), registered now, S/N 402A0050, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402A (NO SERIES)
- 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: 402A0050
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 15041
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Island Wings Inc, doing business as Island Wings
- Registered owner: Island Wings Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 29, 2021, 74 hours before
- Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Destination: MYAT, Treasure Cay, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FXE, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, runway 09/27, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 9, 2021; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: FXE
- METAR: KFXE 021053Z 10003KT 10SM CLR 23/23 A3001 RMK AO2 SLP164 T02280228 $

## 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 20210702004099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210702004099A), Jul 2, 2021: Cessna 402A, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Substantial damage. Airman took off with sun in his eyes and moisture on windshield causing trouble keeping eye contact with the runway centerline. He lost control and veered off…

## Other investigations on N4550Q (1)

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 NYC76FHJ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FHJ10), Dec 22, 1975: Cessna 402A (N4550Q), White Plains, NY, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 4, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103448. 16.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13758644&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Accident%20Report%20Form%206120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13759351&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation (pilot in command) (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12823929&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Rel.pdf
- NTSB memo for record (airport operations summary) (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12822559&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Memo%20for%20Record%20(Airport%20Operations%20Summary)-Rel.pdf
- Operator manual and training changes (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 7.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13758634&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%20Manual%20and%20Training%20Changes_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 6, PDF, 4 pages, 4 photos, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12824027&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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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