# NTSB NYC89LA081: Cessna 402B, N49PB, Hyannis, MA, February 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1989, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Hyannis, MA
- Location: 41.6693° N, 70.2804° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CAPE COD GATEWAY (HYA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6693&lon=-70.2804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 10 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA081

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN IMPROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE (AFT CG). THE AFT CG ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE UNCOMMANDED ALTITUDE DEVIATION AFTER TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuselage,bulkhead - failure,partial
  - flt control syst,elevator control cable/rod - failure,partial
- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

NINE MEMBERS OF A VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM BOARDED THE ACFT W/O THE PLT GETTING ACCURATE PASSENGER WEIGHTS & THE BAGGAGE WAS PLACED IN THE AFT BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. AS THE PLT ENTERED THE CABIN & WAS CLOSING THE DOOR, THE TAIL OF THE ACFT FELL HARD TO THE RAMP. THE PLT RAISED THE TAIL & ELECTED TO CONT THE FLT. AFTER REBOARDING, HE TAXIED TO THE RUNWAY & BEGAN THE TAKEOFF. AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 200 TO 400 FT AGL, THE PLT ANNOUNCED THERE WAS A PROBLEM & ASKED THE PASSENGERS TO MOVE FORWARD. AT THAT TIME, THE NOSE OF THE ACFT WAS HIGHER THAN NORMAL & THE STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE PASSENGERS MOVED AS FAR FORWARD AS FEASIBLE & STAYED THERE UNTIL AFTER THE ACFT WAS LANDED. A POST-FLT EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED A STRINGER, REAR BULKHEAD, ELEVATOR CONTROL TUBE & THE HOUSING FOR THE TAIL NAVIGATION LIGHT WERE DAMAGED. NO BALLAST WAS INSTALLED IN THE FORWARD BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT. A RECALCULATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S WEIGHT & BALANCE, USING THE ACTUAL WEIGHTS OF THE PASSENGERS, REVEALED THE CENTER-OF-GRAVITY (CG) WAS BEHIND THE AFT LIMIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49PB-2008-04-30), registration cancelled 2008-04-30, S/N 402B1361, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B1361
- Airframe hours: 5150
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Spectrum Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 3, 1989
- Departed: HYA
- Destination: ACK, NANTUCKET, MA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: HYA, Barnstable Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,978 total, 525 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890204001909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890204001909A), Feb 4, 1989: Cessna 402B, Hyannis, MA, Substantial damage. Tail fell to ground on boarding. Aft CG. Uncontrolled nose up on takeoff. Had people stand forward for landing.

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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