FTW95LA115

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 414 · Mcgregor, TX · February 14, 1995

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
February 14, 1995, 01:08 local (07:08 UTC)
Place
Mcgregor, TX
Injuries
3 minor, 1 uninjured
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N4643GCessna 414
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed · report June 29, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19950214001719A
Case key
19353

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's delayed initiation of the missed approach until well below the minimum descent altitude and beyond the published missed approach point. Factors were the dark night and the low ceiling and visibility.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectMissed approach (ifr)
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
Missed approach - delayedPilot in commandCause
Weather condition - fogFactor
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Object - tree(s)
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The pilot was cleared for the VOR runway 17 approach. Field elevation and the minimum descent altitude were 590 and 980 feet respectively. The missed approach point was 10.4 miles outbound from the waco VOR, which coincided with the runway threshold. The pilot stated that the passenger seated in the right front seat established visual contact with the airport. After confirming that the airport was in sight and the runway environment identified, the pilot continued his descent towards the runway to land on runway 17. The pilot further stated that 'I realized that there would not be adequate runway to safely land, and initiated a right turn to execute a missed approach.' The right wing of the airplane impacted the top of the trees. The FAA inspector at the scene reported that after impacting the trees, the airplane continued through the trees for approximately 400 feet on a track of 344 degrees prior to coming to rest on a heading of 230 degrees.

Factual narrative

On February 14, 1995, at 0108 central standard time, a Cessna 414, N4643G, was destroyed upon impact with trees and terrain while on an instrument approach to the McGregor Airport, near McGregor, Texas. The instrument rated private pilot was not injured, while his three passengers sustained minor injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the personal dark night cross country flight.

According to air traffic control (ATC), the pilot filed an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan with Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, Departure Control while on climbout from the Portales Municipal Airport (Q34), and was issued an IFR clearance to the McGregor Airport (F60). After receiving the weather and altimeter setting for the destination airport, the pilot was cleared for the VOR Runway 17 approach. Field elevation and the minimum descent altitude were 590 and 980 feet respectively. The missed approach point was 10.4 miles outbound from the Waco VOR, which coincided with the runway threshold.

The pilot stated that the passenger seated in the right front seat established visual contact with the airport. After confirming that the airport was in sight and the runway environment identified, the pilot continued his descent towards the runway to land on Runway 17. The pilot further stated that "I realized that there would not be adequate runway to safely land, and initiated a right turn to execute a missed approach."

The right wing of the airplane impacted the top of the trees. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at the scene reported that after impacting the trees, the airplane continued through the trees for approximately 400 feet on a measured heading of 344 degrees prior to coming to rest on a heading of 230 degrees. The airplane was destroyed by impact and post impact fire; however, the cabin and cockpit area were not compromised.

The 0155 weather observation at F60 was sky partially obscured, 100 feet broken, visibility 1.75 miles in fog and drizzle. The pilot reported 300 feet broken and visibility 1.5 miles.

Aircraft

Registration
N4643G
Reported as
Cessna 414
Category
Airplane
Serial number
414-0911
Airframe hours
4,083
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-NB, 335 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Hermann, Scotty R., M.D.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · November 16, 1994 · 31 hours before
Departed
Q34 · Portales, NM
Flight plan
IFR
Airport
F60 · Mcgregor Municipal, runway 17, 5,499 × 75 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
41
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
651 total · 318 in this make and model · 603 as pilot in command · 32 in the last 90 days · 14 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
70° at 5 knots
Visibility
1.75 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
100 ft broken
Temperature
36 °F, dew point 34 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
F60, 1 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.