Cessna 401

Operator:

Registration:

N444CS

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

New Orleans - Houma

MSN:

401-0093

YOM:

1969

Location:

Houma-Terrebonne

Louisiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2145

Captain / Total hours on type:

250.00

Circumstances:

The pilot started the approach to Houma-Terrebonne Airport in marginal weather conditions (visibility 3 miles or less in fog and haze). On final, the Cessna 401 collided with a Cessna 180 registered N66186. Operated by Wurzlow Flying Service, it was approaching the same airport with one passenger and one pilot on board. Following the collision, the Cessna 401 went out of control and crashed, bursting into flames. Its pilot was killed. The pilot of the Cessna 180 was able to complete an emergency landing and both occupants were slightly injured.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision on final approach after both pilots failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fog,
- Obstructions to vision,
- Visibility 3 miles or less,
- Haze,
- Not under radar contact,
- No control area,
- Convergence angle 30°,
- Horizontal collision angle 60°,
- Anti-collision lights on.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Tewksbury: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1980 at 0937 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Meriden Airways

Registration:

N2ST

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Meriden - Tewksbury

MSN:

401B-0008

YOM:

1969

Location:

Tewksbury-Tew Mac

Massachusetts

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1650

Captain / Total hours on type:

59.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Tewksbury-Tew Mac Airport, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. While inbound from local VOR, the pilot was supposed to follow 224° heading to Tew Mac Airfield but mistakenly followed the 244° heading. In limited visibility due to low ceiling, rain and fog, the twin engine airplane struck a radio tower and crashed, bursting into flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Collision with electronic tower on final approach due to improper IFR operation on part of the pilot-in-command. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Visibility 3/4 mile or less,
- Weather conditions below minimums,
- Wrong approach heading.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Spirit Lake

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1980 at 2220 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Leonard Stoller

Registration:

N3249Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Dubuque - Spirit Lake

MSN:

401-0049

YOM:

1967

Location:

Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji

Iowa

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1800

Captain / Total hours on type:

70.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Spirit Lake-Lake Okoboji Municipal Airport, during the last segment, one of the engine failed. The pilot decided to initiate a go-around when the airplane stalled and crashed on a residential building located near the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft and eight condominiums were destroyed by a post crash fire. While both people on board the airplane were injured, there were no injuries on ground.

Probable cause:

Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure on engine,
- Single engine go-around.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Gainesville

Date & Time: May 12, 1980 at 1936 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J & R Enterprises

Registration:

N7931Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Jacksonville - Gainesville

MSN:

401B-0031

YOM:

1969

Location:

Gainesville

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

5000

Captain / Total hours on type:

3.00

Circumstances:

On final approach to Gainesville Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in high vegetation. Both occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Double engine failure on final approach due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Lack of familiarity with aircraft,
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Inattentive to fuel supply,
- Fuel starvation,
- Fuel selector positioned between tanks,
- High vegetation,
_ Complete failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Auxiliary fuel tanks and left main empty,
- Right main fuel tank 10-15 gallons,
- Left engine fuel selector on left main tank,
- Right engine fuel selector between left main and right auxiliary tank.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Linville: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1980 at 0837 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N9912F

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Myrtle Beach - Cincinnati

MSN:

401-0091

YOM:

1969

Location:

Linville

North Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8919

Captain / Total hours on type:

480.00

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 5,900 feet in limited visibility due to marginal weather conditions, the twin engine airplane struck the slope of a mountain located near Linville. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced to zero due to low ceiling, rains falls and fog.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain during normal cruise after the pilot continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Physical impairment of the pilot,
- Alcoholic impairment of efficiency and judgment,
- Low ceiling,
- Rain,
- Fog,
- Blood ethanol level 90 mg %,
- Hit the mountain at 5,909 feet,
- Mountain obscured.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401B in Phoenix

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1979 at 1708 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

J&J Automotive

Registration:

N77MG

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Long Beach - Phoenix

MSN:

401B-0006

YOM:

1969

Location:

Phoenix

Arizona

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

519

Captain / Total hours on type:

140.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Phoenix Airport, both engines failed simultaneously. The pilot reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing few miles from the airfield. The aircraft came to rest on its belly and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot escaped unhurt.

Probable cause:

Controlled collision with ground following a mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Wet, soft ground,
- Complete failure of both engines,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Pilot did not recall changing fuel selector after power loss,
- Tip tanks separated and burned,
- Left auxiliary tank empty,
- Right auxiliary tank demolished.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 in Quirnheim

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

D-IHSM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

401-0105

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in Quirnheim. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Cessna 401A in Aspen

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1978 at 1526 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N555SH

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field

Schedule:

Wichita - Aspen

MSN:

401A-0081

YOM:

1969

Location:

Colorado

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3800

Captain / Total hours on type:

200.00

Circumstances:

The approach to Aspen-Pitkin County-Sardy Field was completed in excellent weather conditions. On final, the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. All five occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Stall on final approach after the pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following contributing factors were reported:
- High density altitude,
- Downwind.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 401 off West Palm Beach

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1977 at 1523 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

E. L. Jarman

Registration:

N80BW

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Washington DC - Pompano Beach

MSN:

401-0111

YOM:

1968

Location:

West Palm Beach

Florida

Country:

Region: