# NTSB LAX93FA112: Cessna 414, N711LT, Truckee, CA, February 10, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1993, 08:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA112
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA112

## Probable cause

THE DECISION OF THE PILOT NOT TO FOLLOW INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULE PROCEDURES DURING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AND POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AND REDUCED PERFORMANCE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND HIGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - weather condition - ice fog (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

A CESSNA 414 COLLIDED WITH A TREE IN A MOUNTAINOUS RESIDENTIAL AREA ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT.  INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH 1/8 MILE VISIBILITY PREVAILED AND AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED, BUT WAS NOT OPENED.  THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES.  THE ELEVATION OF THE COLLISION WAS ABOUT 100 FEET HIGHER THAN THE AIRPORT.  THE STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE PROCEDURES FOR THE AIRPORT PRESCRIBE TAKEOFF MINIMUMS OF 3,500 FOOT CEILING AND 3 MILES VISIBILITY. THE PROCEDURE REQUIRES A MINIMUM CLIMB RATE OF 425 FEET PER NAUTICAL MILE, A RIGHT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF TO INTERCEPT A 002 DEGREE RADIAL OFF A VOR, AND A CLIMB TO A SPECIFIED ALTITUDE.  THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL RECOMMENDS THAT PILOTS CLIMB TO 400 FEET AGL BEFORE TURNING WHEN EXECUTING STANDARD INSTRUMENT DEPARTURE UNDER IFR.  THE AIRPLANE WAS ALSO DETERMINED TO BE ABOUT 400 POUNDS OVER MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE TAKEOFF.  THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE EXISTING AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711LT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N711LT-1993-09-15), registration cancelled 1993-09-15, S/N 4140630 (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: 414-0630
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Means, Gary L.
- Registered owner: Means, Gary L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: TRK
- Destination: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 387 total, 230 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 2 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 19930210002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930210002199A), Feb 10, 1993: Cessna 414, Truckee, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck trees and residences climbing out. Weather below minimal. Over gross weight. Failed to climb on turnout.

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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