Engine Roughness Leads to Gear-Up Landing at Salt Lake City

Casualties unknown • Salt Lake City, UT, US

A pilot experienced sudden engine roughness shortly after takeoff from Salt Lake City International Airport in poor weather, resulting in a gear-up landing short of the runway.

What happened

The aircraft departed Runway 34L at Salt Lake City International Airport under instrument meteorological conditions with moderate snowfall. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of approximately 200 feet above ground level, both engines began running rough. All engine instruments indicated normal parameters. The pilot applied alternate air but observed no change and closed the heat. The airplane began losing altitude while the stall warning horn sounded. The pilot executed a gear-up landing approximately 500 feet to the right of the runway centerline and about 500 feet beyond the departure end of Runway 34L.

The investigation

Post-acc examination revealed that both engines ran satisfactorily. Fuel samples taken from both fuel tanks disclosed no evidence of contaminants or water.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1985-01-08 Cessna 404 accident near Salt Lake City, UT?

A pilot experienced sudden engine roughness shortly after takeoff from Salt Lake City International Airport in poor weather, resulting in a gear-up landing short of the runway.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1985-01-08 involved a Cessna 404, registration N2681B, operated by Regional Express CO, at Salt Lake City, UT.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X35496. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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