Sunday, March 14, 2021

Cessna 650 Citation III, N220CM: Accident occurred March 14, 2019 at Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB), Orange County, Florida







Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Orlando, Florida

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

RP Sales and Leasing Inc


Location: Sanford, FL
Accident Number: ERA19TA133
Date & Time: 03/14/2019, 2215 EDT
Registration: N220CM
Aircraft: Cessna 650
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Miscellaneous/other
Injuries: 4 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot stated that after landing the airplane at night, the taxiway that he normally used was occupied, so he taxied toward the ramp via an alternate taxiway. As he approached the ramp, there were four or five airplanes on the ramp, and the pilot asked the copilot if the area was clear on the right side. The pilot was referring to the ground path, but the copilot thought he was referring to the other airplanes. When the copilot replied that they were clear, the pilot turned right. The airplane then exited the taxiway onto grass and the nosewheel struck concrete, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage structure above the nose landing gear. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to keep the airplane on the taxiway while taxiing at night. Contributing to the accident was a miscommunication between the flight crewmembers about the position of the airplane.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Personnel issues Interpretation/understanding - Flight crew
Aircraft Heading/course - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

On March 14, 2019, about 2215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 650, N220CM, was substantially damaged during taxi at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Orlando, Florida. The two airline transport pilots and two passengers were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions
prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Yeager Airport (CRW), Charleston, West Virginia, about 2100.

The pilot stated that after landing, the taxiway that he normally used had an airplane on it, so he taxied toward the ramp via an alternate taxiway. As he approached the ramp, there were four or five airplanes on the ramp and the pilot asked the copilot if the area was clear on the right side. The pilot was referring to the ground and the copilot thought he was referring to the other airplanes. When the copilot replied that they were clear, the pilot turned right. The airplane then exited the taxiway on to grass and the nosewheel struck concrete before the airplane came to rest. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the structure above the nose landing gear and the pressure bulkhead.

History of Flight

Taxi-from runway Miscellaneous/other (Defining event)
Taxi-from runway Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 83, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/31/2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/02/2019
Flight Time:  30000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 4000 hours (Total, this make and model), 29000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 30 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 69, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s):
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/25/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 03/04/2019
Flight Time:  4353 hours (Total, all aircraft), 261 hours (Total, this make and model), 3640 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 86 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 31 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 2 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N220CM
Model/Series: 650 No Series
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1988
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 650-0160
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 22200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time: 9655 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Honeywell
ELT: C91A installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TFE-731
Registered Owner: Rp Sales And Leasing Inc
Rated Power:
Operator: Rp Sales And Leasing Inc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night
Observation Facility, Elevation: SFB, 54 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2153 EDT
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.14 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 19°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Charleston, WV (CRW)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Sanford, FL (SFB)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 2100 EDT
Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: Orlando Sanford International (SFB)
Runway Surface Type: N/A
Airport Elevation: 55 ft
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 4 None
Latitude, Longitude:  28.776944, -81.235000 (est)

5 comments:

  1. It's impressive that this 83-year old captain is still flying as well as his 69-year old co-pilot. But they screwed up here.

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  2. Impressive. The 83 year old captain has a first class medical. I would fly with him. At that age and with 30000 hours he has probably forgot more than most of us will ever know.

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  3. Nice how the captain threw the FO under the bus.... No one EVER asks if they are "clear" referring to the "ground". The FO was correct when he stated that they were "clear" of other aircraft. 83 year old captain needs to retire.

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  4. Two years later the jet still has not returned to the air. Damage to a pressure bulkhead is a serious and very expensive repair.

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  5. There is something to be learned here. As the other commentor indicated, “clear right”, or “clear on my side” usually means mostly concentrating on other aircraft and obstacles. When flying a leg as a non-flying pilot (PNF) crewmember, all of us should remember to also be watching our intended path of taxi. Unfortunately for this captain he didn’t roll a main off the edge of the taxiway, he went straight off when it was right in front of him. But, at night that could happen to any of us.

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