# NTSB SEA85FA110: Cessna 402, N402CS, Pocatello, ID, May 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 15, 1985, 18:26 local (May 16, 1985, 00:26 UTC)
- Place: Pocatello, ID
- Coordinates: 42.899116, -112.389678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8991&lon=-112.3897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 75-23-08 R5](https://openairdocs.org/ad/75-23-08-R5) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, unknown
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - failure,total (cause)
  - exhaust system,manifold/pipe - leak (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - initiated, pilot in command
- Fire, descent
  - miscellaneous - fire (cause)
  - wing,spar - burned
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent
  - wing - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE & LEVEL OFF, THE PLT REPORTED AN ENG MALFUNCTION & INITIATED A RETURN TO THE ARPT. ABOUT 2 MIN LATER, HE REPORTED AN ENG FIRE & DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. APRX 1 MIN THEREAFTER, THE RGT WING SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT & THE PLANE CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EXTENSIVE INFLT FIRE DAMAGE IN THE AREA OF SEPARATION. A 2.5 BY 3 INCH HOLE WAS FOUND IN THE RGT INBOARD EXHAUST TUBE, PN 0850712-6. IT WAS ORIENTED TOWARD THE ACCESSORY COMPARTMENT WITHNUMEROUS FUEL & OIL LINES WHICH WERE FIRE DAMAGED & CHARRED. ALSO, MUCH OF THE ENG SUPPORT STRUCTURE & WING SPAR WERE MELTED IN THAT AREA. AN EXAM OF THE EXHAUST TUBE REVEALED ITS WALLS WERE THIN, BRITTLE & DISCOLORED IN THE AREA OF THE RUPTURE & SEVERAL AREAS OF CRACKS & SMALL HOLES WERE FOUND. THE EXHAUST TUBE HAD 5862 HRS OF TOTAL SERVICE & 1762 HOURS SINCE IT WAS OVERHAULED. RECORDS SHOWED THAT AD 75-23-08 HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH DURING THE LAST INSPECTION, 25 FLT HRS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N402CS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402-0108
- Airframe hours: 5862
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Regional Express Company
- Registered owner: Fbn Leasing Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 11, 1985, 12 hours before
- Departed: PIH, POCATELLO, ID
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport, military, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total, 350 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIH, 12 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 19850515022699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850515022699A), May 15, 1985: Cessna 402CESSNA, Pocatello, ID, Destroyed. Inflight fire in right engine caused a large portion of wing to burn off. Hole in exhaust manifold tube assembly.

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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