# NTSB MIA83FA226: Cessna C-114A, N256EL, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, September 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1983, 07:59 local (11:59 UTC)
- Place: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
- Coordinates: 26.190891, -80.170776 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.1909&lon=-80.1708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30806
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30806/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA226

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,strainer - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID THE LEFT ENGINE STARTED LOSING POWER INTERMITTENTLY AT 90 KTS. THE PLT HAD ROTATED THE ACFT AND TRIED TO CONTINUE THE TAKEOFF. HE WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON ANY RWY AND IN ATTEMPTING A TURN WITH LANDING GEAR AND PARTIAL FLAPS EXTENDED CONTROL WAS LOST AND A CRASH OCCURRED. THE ACFT FLT MANUAL STATES THAT IF AN ENGINE FAILS BELOW 105 MPH THE TAKEOFF SHOULD BE ABORTED. AN ON SCENE EXAMINATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST A PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. BOTH PROPELLERS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF TORSIONAL OVERLOAD DAMAGE. WHEN THE ENGINES WERE FURTHER EXAMINED THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL STRAINER WAS PARTIALLY CLOGGEDWITH DIRT. DURING A RUN-UP TEST THE LEFT ENGINE WOULD NOT DEVELOPE MORE THAN 23 INCHES HG. AT 2750 RPM AND MAGNETO RPM DROP WAS ERRATIC. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RUN WITH THE AUX FUEL BOOST PUMP OFF. THE REASON FOR THE LOW POWER OUTPUT WAS A DISCONNECTED PRESSURE LINE FOR THE TURBOCHARGER WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED FOR SOME TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N256EL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N256EL-1994-01-03), registration cancelled 1994-01-03, S/N 4110242 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-114A
- Registry model: [Cessna 411](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-411) (registry code 2075902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 411-0242
- Airframe hours: 2439
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-C 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Martin Bilt
- Registered owner: Bertram E. Weech
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1983, 2 hours before
- Departed: FXE, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: ATL, ATLANTIC, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FXE, Ft.Lauderdale Executive, runway 8, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FXE

## 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 19830910047979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830910047979A), Sep 10, 1983: Cessna 411A, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Destroyed. Left engine malfunctioned during takeoff. Aircraft crashed when pilot attempted return for emergency landing.

## Other investigations on N256EL (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI71FEE76](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FEE76), Jun 7, 1971: Cessna 411 (N256EL), Northbrook, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI68F0256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI68F0256), Aug 1, 1967: Cessna 411 (N256EL), St.Ignace, MI, substantial damage

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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