Early Evidence Inconclusive, Right Prop Shows No Sign Of Power At Impact

The NTSB has released its preliminary report in an accident involving a Cessna 441 airplane which went down on approach to York Airport in Pennsylvania on December 22nd last year. The flight appeared to be fairly normal up until the pilot overshot the centerline of the runway and began a right turn before impacting terrain. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident, was fatally injured.

NTSB Identification: ERA12FA120
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, December 22, 2011 in Nashville, PA
Aircraft: CESSNA 441, registration: N48BS
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On December 22, 2011, about 1735 eastern standard time, a Cessna 441, N48BS, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain near Nashville, Pennsylvania, while approaching York Airport (THV), Thomasville, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane had been operating on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan from Long Beach Airport - Daugherty Field (LGB), Long Beach, California, to THV; however, the pilot had cancelled the flight plan and was proceeding visually via the airport traffic pattern at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

Preliminary air traffic control information indicated that the airplane departed LGB about 1105 (0805 Pacific standard time) and climbed to 33,000 feet. About 1522, it climbed to 35,000 feet, and about 1639, it began a descent. At 1707, the pilot cancelled the IFR flight plan with New York Center, and at 1716, terminated flight following with Harrisburg Approach Control.

Preliminary radar information indicated that at 1719, the airplane was about 24 miles west of THV at 1,700 feet. The airplane continued eastbound, entering a 45-degree left downwind for runway 35. The airplane subsequently turned onto a left base, then slightly overshot runway centerline before starting a right turn and disappearing from radar.

The wreckage was located on open, rolling terrain, about 145 degrees magnetic, 1.56 statute miles from THV runway 35, in the vicinity of 39 degrees, 53.53 minutes north latitude, 076 degrees, 51.11 minutes west longitude. There was no wreckage path, and ground indentations matching the positions of extended landing gear, and the nose and tail of the airplane indicated that it had initially impacted the ground almost vertically, heading about 060 degrees magnetic. It appeared to have then bounced once, coming rest on a heading of about 090 degrees magnetic.

The airplane's tail section was broken off to the left, and the left wing outboard of the left engine was broken forward. The aft portion of the right wing root was pushed into the fuselage, and the landing gear were fractured upwards. The overall damage noted was consistent with the airplane having been in a right-turning flat spin when it initially impacted the ground.

Cessna 441 File Photo

Flight control continuity was confirmed from all flight control surfaces to the front of the damaged cabin area, where there was cable impingement. The flap handle was in approach, and the flap actuator position equated with the flaps being extended approximately 35 degrees.

The left engine throttle was near flight idle, and the right engine throttle was full forward; however, the effects of ground impact on their positions could not be determined. Both condition levers were in the EMERG SHUT-OFF position, but according to a witness, they were pulled to that position after initial responders smelled fuel.

About 4 gallons of fuel were drained from the right fuel tank; however, the tank and the fuel hopper were breached. There was also an odor of fuel in the soil beneath the wing. Fuel quantity from the left fuel tank could not be determined due to the extent of damage to the tank and to the wing. When the wing was lifted, fuel flowed from a breach near the wingtip.

The right propeller did not exhibit any signs of power at impact. Two of the four propeller blades exhibited no damage while the other two had some bending, but no significant chordwise scratching. The right propeller did not appear to have been in feather at impact.

The left propeller exhibited significant damage. Two of the four propeller blades were broken off at the hub, while the third blade was dangling loose in the hub and the fourth blade was bent in a direction opposite normal rotation.

Both engines, both propellers, and both advisory light panels were retained for further examination by the Safety Board.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov