Cessna 414 N73CP

Summary

On 26 November 1996 at about 17:08 local time, a Cessna 414 registered N73CP was involved in an accident near Duo, West Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 1996 at 17:08

Classification

Accident

Location

Duo, West Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Summersville Airport (I07)

Coordinates

38.2605, -80.7303

Aircraft

Cessna 414

Registration

N73CP

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Summersville → Waynesboro

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97FA021

2 people died.

The pilot's inadequate inflight decision which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance which resulted in an inflight collision with terrain. The low ceiling was a factor.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot contacted Charleston Approach Control to pick up his IFR clearance to the destination. The controller instructed the pilot to maintain VFR and he then attempted to coordinate with Washington Center for the clearance. The controller subsequently was unable to establish radar contact with the flight and he also lost radio contact with the pilot. The aircraft collided with the upslope of high terrain in weather conditions comprised of fog, sleet, and snow. The accident site was about 14 miles from the departure point. Toxicological testing of the pilot revealed benzoylecgonine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.