- Date
- January 15, 1993, 13:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place
- Reno, NV
- Injuries
- 2 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N4733GCessna 414
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 3, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19930115000479A
- Case key
- 27819
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to use pitot static system covers during icing conditions which resulted in a blocked pitot tube and subsequent loss of airspeed indications. This led to pilot disorientation and an invertant stall. Factors to the accident were improper snow removal and adverse weather conditions.
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.
Analysis
A Cessna 414 collided with a level ground while attempting to land during a snow shower. The pilot reported an emergency one minute after departing IFR and requested to return to the airport under visual rules. The pilot indicated to air traffic control that 'I can't get any speed.' The visibility was variable around the airport with the lowest report of 1/2 mile. Witnesses observed the airplane traveling fast at low altitude and indicated both engines were running. Investigation revealed during servicing before the flight, the pitot tube covers were not used. About 1.5 inches of snow had accumulated on the airplane during the refueling and was brushed off. The airplane was seen flying into a snow shower and reversing course. Witnesses reported the airplane's angle of bank to be 80 to 90 degrees with a 20 degree pitch down attitude. The airplane descended into a snow covered pasture. Witnesses reported the airplane leveled its wing just before impact. Manufacturer's safety and warning supplements indicate inflight ice protection is not designed to remove snow on parked aircraft. The manufacturer recommends use of heated hangars or approved deicing solutions to insure the are no internal accumulations in pitot static system ports.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N4733G
- Reported as
- Cessna 414
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 0928
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-520-NB, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Plane Wrap
- Registered owner
- Plane Wrap
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · May 15, 1992
- Departed
- RNO
- Destination
- CMA · Camarillo, CA
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- RNO · Reno Cannon I'Ntl, runway 16, 10,008 × 150 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 52
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,935 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Instrument (IMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature
- 30 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- RNO, 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.