# NTSB FTW88FA044: Cessna 414A, N6576C, Midland, TX, January 4, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1988, 09:49 local (15:49 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Coordinates: 31.980306, -102.129928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9803&lon=-102.1299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22533
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22533/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - disconnected (cause)
  - attitude indicator - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND THE GROUND SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF DURING INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS. THE ONLY EVIDENCE OF A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WHICH WAS FOUND WAS THE GYRO FOR THE PILOT'S ATTITUDE INDICATOR WHICH HAD NO INDICATION OF ROTATION AT IMPACT. THE PREVIOUS PILOT STATED THAT HE NORMALLY PULLED THE AC CIRCUIT BREAKER AFTER LANDING, THAT THE BREAKER SUPPLIED VOLTAGE TO THE PILOT'S ATTITUDE INDICATOR, AND THAT HE TOLD THE NEW PILOT OF THIS PROCEDURE WHICH WAS NOT ON THE AIRCRAFT'S CHECKLIST. THIS WAS THE NEW PILOT'S FIRST INSTRUMENT FLIGHT IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6576C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A-0018
- Airframe hours: 2952
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Murray Faskin
- Registered owner: Murray Fasken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1987
- Destination: ROW, ROSWELL, NM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 11,000 total, 34 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 10 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 19880104000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880104000179A), Jan 4, 1988: Cessna 414A, Midland, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control on climb-out and impacted near vertical. Indicates pilot failed to turn on gyro horizon prior departure

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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