# NTSB MKC87FA035: Cessna 414A, N414LL, Olathe, KS, December 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1986, 22:49 local (Dec 25, 1986, 04:49 UTC)
- Place: Olathe, KS
- Coordinates: 38.879859, -94.810424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8799&lon=-94.8104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87FA035

## 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)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
- Fire, other
  - fuel system,tank - burst (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A CHARTER FLT AND, AS SUCH, HE DECIDED TO ATTEMPT THE LOC 17 APCH TO OLATHE EVEN THOUGH THE AREA WAS FORECASTING ZERO-ZERO CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE LAST THING HE REMEMBERS DURING THE FLT IS BRACKETING THE LOC AND READING 1,600 FT ON THE ALTIMETER.SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT FURTHER STATED, HE REMEMBERS BEING ON THE GROUND INSIDE THE WRECKAGE, MITIGATING THE INJURIES SUFFERED AND TRYING TO STAY WARM. A POST-ACCIDENT INVEST REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS TO THE LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE WHEN IT STRUCK TWO TREES 12 FT AGL (1,062 FT MSL), WHILE IN A 30 DEG RIGHT BANK. THE ACFT MADE A FLAT 360 RIGHT PIROUETTE OVER SOME SMALL TREES, TEARING OFF THE LEFT WING BEFORE IMPACTING THE GRND AND SLIDING APRX 600 FT. A POST-CRASH FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE RIGHT WING TANK BUT IT EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. A DOT FAA OPERATIONAL FLT TEST FOUND THE LOCALIZER TO BE WITHIN LIMITS. A LEAK CHECK OF THE ACFT STATIC SYSTEM AND A BENCH CHECK OF BOTH ALTIMETERS WERE SATISFACTORY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N414LL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N414LL-1987-09-02), registration cancelled 1987-09-02, S/N 414A0627 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414A0627
- Airframe hours: 2403
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB9 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kansas City Aviation Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: IRK, KIRKSVILLE, MO
- Destination: OJC, OLATHE, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,117 total, 23 in this make and model, 3,902 as pilot in command, 243 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKC, 20 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 19861224070849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861224070849A), Dec 24, 1986: Cessna 414, Olathe, KS, Destroyed. Collided with trees while attempting an IFR approach to the airport. Post fire. No malfunctions. CG forward limit.

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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