# NTSB MIA86LA176: Cessna 411, N4959T, Tallahassee, FL, June 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1986, 10:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.429531, -84.260658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4295&lon=-84.2607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA86LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - leak (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT OBSERVED A FUEL SPILL ON THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF REFUELING OVERFLOW. HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINES & AN EXPLOSION & FIRE RESULTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4959T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4959T-1991-09-30), registration cancelled 1991-09-30, S/N 4110159 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 411
- Registry model: [Cessna 411](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-411) (registry code 2075902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 411-0159
- Airframe hours: 4184
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSI-520C 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roffler Hair Design College
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1985, 78 hours before
- Destination: MCB, MCCOMB, MS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 344 total, 40 in this make and model, 231 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TLH

## 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 19860611023649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860611023649A), Jun 11, 1986: Cessna 411, Tallahassee, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft caught fire and exploded during start. Pilot reported fuel spilled under the wing during fueling.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
