# NTSB GAA15CA158: Cessna 337, N2181X, Blanding, UT, June 29, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 29, 2015, 12:44 local (18:44 UTC) - Place: Blanding, UT - Coordinates: 37.583332, -109.483329 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5833&lon=-109.4833&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Salt Lake City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91501 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91501/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91501 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA158 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of a departure runway of inadequate length for the density altitude, resulting in the airplane not gaining sufficient lift, departing the runway, and impacting terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: configuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062017/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2075702), [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 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 337, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075702), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported that prior to takeoff, he "didn't lean out the motors". He reported that during the takeoff roll, "there wasn't enough lift and probably the density altitude was involved." The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway into a field, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was because of "pilot error." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engines that would have precluded normal operation. The computed density altitude for the departure airport was 8,570 feet at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the twin-engine airplane reported that prior to takeoff, he "didn't lean out the motors". He reported that during the takeoff roll, "there wasn't enough lift and probably the density altitude was involved." The airplane ran off the departure end of the runway into a field, impacted terrain, and sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported that the accident was because of "pilot error." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engines that would have precluded normal operation. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The computed density altitude for the departure airport was 8,570 feet at the time of the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspector reported that the pilot was not rated for multi-engine airplanes and that the airplane was not airworthy prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2181X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2181X-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 337-0081, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 337 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 337](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337) (registry code 2075702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 337-0081 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: Continental IO360 Series 210 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO360 Series 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William E. Miller - Registered owner: William E. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PVW, PLAINVIEW, TX - Destination: HRI, HERMISTON, OR - Airport: BDG, Blanding Muni, runway 35, 5,781 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,042 total, 5 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: KBDG ## 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 20150629010089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150629010089A), Jun 29, 2015: Cessna 337, Blanding, UT, Substantial damage. Crashed aircraft. No MEL rating. Pilot failed to lean engines for high density altitude airport and aircraft could not develop power for take off. Pilot did… ## Other investigations on N2181X (2) 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 OAK76DVD35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVD35), May 8, 1976: Cessna 337 (N2181X), Sonoma, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA66F0126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA66F0126), Sep 17, 1965: Cessna 337 (N2181X), Spokane, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 15, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91501. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Damaged Empennage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Damaged%20Empennage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.