# NTSB MIA04CA040: Cessna 210L, N453MC, Fort Meade, FL, January 14, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 14, 2004, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Meade, FL
- Coordinates: 27.75, -82.199996
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7500&lon=-82.2000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58619
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA04CA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58619/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA040

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to abort the takeoff after encountering fog during the preflight and engine run-up, and also his failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during the takeoff roll due to a fogged windshield resulting in the collision with a fence.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - window,cabin - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that during preflight of the airplane, he noticed fog which became heavier during the engine run-up before takeoff.  During the engine run-up, the windshield started fogging up, which usually clears up when full power is applied.  He thought about aborting the flight, but elected to takeoff.  During the takeoff roll he concentrated on keeping the airplane "straight", but did not detect that the takeoff roll was not parallel to the runway.  He observed a fence when the windshield cleared up and applied aft elevator control to clear the fence.  The airplane impacted the fence then came to rest upright.  He reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

## Factual narrative

On January 14, 2004, about 0630 eastern standard time, a Cessna 210L, N453MC, registered to and operated by a private individual, collided with a fence during takeoff from a private airstrip in Fort Meade, Florida.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight to Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, Miami, Florida.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that during preflight of the airplane, he noticed fog which became heavier during the engine run-up before takeoff.  During the engine run-up, the windshield started fogging up, which usually clears up when full power is applied.  He thought about aborting the flight, but elected to takeoff.  During the takeoff roll he concentrated on keeping the airplane "straight", but did not detect that the takeoff roll was not parallel to the runway.  He observed a fence when the windshield cleared up and applied aft elevator control to clear the fence.  The airplane impacted the fence then came to rest upright.  He reported there was no mechanical malfunction or failure.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N453MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N453MC), registered now, S/N 21059844 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059844
- Engines: Continental IO-520-L 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FL
- Destination: KTMB, Miami, FL
- Airport: runway 18, 3,200 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,245 total, 1,857 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 0.5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 19 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 20040114011139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040114011139A), Jan 14, 2004: Cessna 210L, Ft Meade, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) During the post-accident interview, the pilot stated that while performing his pre-takeoff runup, the existing fog in the area got thicker; the…

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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