# NTSB LAX93FA095: Cessna 414, N4733G, Reno, NV, January 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1993, 13:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.480087, -119.739433 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4801&lon=-119.7394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA095

## 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

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft protective covering - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - pitot system - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4733G-1995-09-07), registration cancelled 1995-09-07, S/N 4140928 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0928
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930115000479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930115000479A), Jan 15, 1993: Cessna 414, Reno, NV, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Reported emergency on IFR climbout unable to accelerate. Impact in snowy pasture. Snow in pitot and airframe.

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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