Date & Time:
Sep 10, 1983 at 0759 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Bertram E. Weech
Registration:
N256EL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Atlantic
MSN:
411-0242
YOM:
1967
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
0
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
500
Aircraft flight hours:
2439
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed while maneuvering at low airspeed and altitude right after takeoff. The pilot said the left engine started losing power intermittently at 90 knots. The pilot had rotated the aircraft and tried to continue the takeoff. He was cleared to land on any runway and in attempting a turn with landing gear and partial flaps extended control was lost and a crash occurred. The aircraft flight manual states that if an engine fails below 105 mph the takeoff should be aborted. An on scene examination revealed no evidence to suggest a pre-impact failure or malfunction. Both propellers showed evidence of torsional overload damage. When the engines were further examined the left engine fuel strainer was partially clogged with dirt. During a run-up test the left engine would not develop more than 23 inches hg. At 2,750 rpm and magneto rpm drop was erratic. The engine would not run with the aux fuel boost pump off. The reason for the low power output was a disconnected pressure line for the turbocharger which appeared to have been disconnected for some time. All five occupants were injured, two of them seriously.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) fuel system, strainer - blocked (partial)
2. (c) exhaust system, turbocharger - disconnected
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Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
3. (c) flight controls - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (c) throttle/power control - improper use of - pilot in command
5. (c) abort - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
1. (c) fuel system, strainer - blocked (partial)
2. (c) exhaust system, turbocharger - disconnected
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Occurrence #2: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: takeoff - initial climb
Findings
3. (c) flight controls - improper use of - pilot in command
4. (c) throttle/power control - improper use of - pilot in command
5. (c) abort - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: maneuvering
