# NTSB NYC85FA057: Cessna 414, N1994G, Sadsburyville, PA, January 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1985, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Sadsburyville, PA
- Location: 39.9823° N, 75.8939° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sadsburyville, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9823&lon=-75.8939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACFT WAS ON ITS RWY 29 APCH WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH GND 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT. A WITNESS SAW HE ACFT FLY OVER THE ARPT TO THE WEST BETWEEN 500 TO 1500 FT. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE SAW THE ACFT MAKING ABRUPT MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ENGINE SOUNDS WAS DESCRIBED AS 'RACING', 'UNEVEN', & 'LOUD'. WEATHER CONDITION WAS DESCRIBED AS FOG, LOW CEILING, AND LIGHT RAIN. ANOTHER PILOT IN SAME TYPE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND DUE TO WEATHER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. FLT APCH NAVAID FACILITIES FLT CHECKED TO BE OPERATIONAL. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PLT PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1994G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1994G-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 4140601 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414-0601
- Airframe hours: 3695
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Santa Fe Associates, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1984, 169 hours before
- Departed: LBE, LATROBE, PA
- Destination: N40, COATESVILLE, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: N40, Chester County, runway 29, 4,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total, 49 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 22 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 19850131001559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850131001559A), Jan 31, 1985: Cessna 414, Coatesville, PA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft impacted ground after approach. Probably looking for runway beyond missed approach point.

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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