# NTSB MKC84FA077: Cessna 414A, N6815Z, Mena, AR, February 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1984, 16:56 local (22:56 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.580459, -94.230255 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5805&lon=-94.2303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACFT CLEARED FOR MENA NDB APCH AND TO MAINTAIN 5000 FT MSL UNTIL ESTABLISHED ON THE APCH. ACFT DESCENDED TO 4800 FT MSL ON APRX GRND TRACK OF 040 TO 030 DEG AFTER NDB PASSAGE. ACFT THEN TURNED TO A GROUND TRACK OF 116 DEG. AFTER 12 SECONDS THE ACFT TURNED TO A GROUND TRACK OF 350 DEG DURING WHICH THE GROUND SPEED DECREASED TO 93 KTS. THE ACFT DESCENDED TO 4600 FT MSL WITH GROUND SPEED INCREASING TO 140 KTS. N68152 REPORTED 'WE'VE BROKEN BELOW - WILL CANCEL IN JUST A MOMENT.' RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH THE ACFT DESCENDING TO 3000 FT MSL ON A HEADING OF 304 DEG. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 6 MILES NW OF THE ARPT AT AN ELEV OF 2000 FT MSL. THE OUTBOUND APCH HEADING IS 080 DEG WITH PROCEDURE TURN HEADING OF 125 DEG AND 305 DEG. REPORTED WINDS ALOFT AT 5000 FT MSL, 4000 FT MSL AND 3000 FT MSL WERE 191 DEG AT 34 KTS, 169 DEG AT 30 KTS AND 151 DEG AT 32 KTS RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6815Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6815Z-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 414A0648, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414a) (registry code 2075907) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A0648
- Airframe hours: 411
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wirt Davis III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1983, 77 hours before
- Departed: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Destination: M39, MENA, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: M39, Mena Intermountain Reg., runway 00, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,100 total, 27 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTS, 42 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 19840215004439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840215004439A), Feb 15, 1984: Cessna 414A, Mena, AR, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed during adf approach to airport. Aircrafts track was errattic before disappearing from radar.

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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