Accident Cessna 421B N14A, Thursday 15 April 1993

You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.

Date:	Thursday 15 April 1993
Time:	16:00 LT
Type:	Cessna 421B
Owner/operator:	Southern Airways Inc.
Registration:	N14A
MSN:	421-0373
Total airframe hrs:	4782 hours
Engine model:	Continental GTSI0-520-H
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Fort Payne, AL - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Knoxville, TN (KDKX)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A DOWNDRAFT AT LIFTOFF, DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE SETTLING BACK ON THE RUNWAY. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT, SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A LANDING GEAR PROBLEM. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE APPROACH, AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED OVERLOAD STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND TO THE RIGHT WING CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE SUSTAINED DURING A HARD LANDING.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY, EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND UPON LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

Accident investigation: