# NTSB GAA19CA143: Cessna 421, N581CJ, Woodruff, WI, February 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 10, 2019, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Woodruff, WI - Coordinates: 45.928054, -89.730834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9281&lon=-89.7308&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99008 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA143 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99008/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99008 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA143 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076014), [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 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on a plowed, snow-covered runway, he could "feel the [airplane] pulling to the right" and corrected with opposite rudder, but the airplane slowly exited the runway to the right and impacted a snowbank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both propellers and the right engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110° at 5 knots, 1 1/4 statute miles visibility, overcast at 900 ft, temperature 18°F, dew point 12°F, and light snow. The airplane departed from runway 36. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on a plowed, snow-covered runway for an instrument flight, he could "feel the [airplane] pulling to the right" and corrected with opposite rudder but the airplane slowly exited the runway to the right and impacted a snowbank. The twin-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to both propellers and the right engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110° at 5 knots, 1 1/4 statute mile visibility, overcast at 900 ft, temperature 18°F, dew point 12°F, and light snow. The airplane departed on runway 36. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N581CJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N581CJ), registered now, S/N 421B0343 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 421 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSI0-520-F-K](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsi0-520-f-k) (registry code 17031, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0343 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 9072.9 - Engines: Continental GTSI0-520-F-K 375 horsepower reciprocating; Continental GTSI0-520-H5B 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 2018 - Departed: ARV, Woodruff, WI - Destination: 1H0, St Louis, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: ARV, Lakeland/Noble F Lee Memorial, runway 36, 5,150 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,881 total, 200 in this make and model, 13,000 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast - Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: KARV ## 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 20190210010089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190210010089A), Feb 10, 2019: Cessna 421B, Woodruff, WI, Substantial damage. February 10, 2019 at approximetly 1230PM localtime a Cessna 421B registration N581CJ was departing on runway 36 at karv Lakeland airport Woodruff, WI. While on… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99008. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 956 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472982&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - IA (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472983&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20IA-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.