On October 20, 1974, a Cessna 414 Chancellor (registration N414HC) operated by Holloway Construction was involved in an aviation accident near Jackson-Reynolds Field, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Inadequate preflight preparation on part of the pilot who failed to clean the aircraft prior to departure. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A twin-engine airplane stalled and crashed near the runway end after takeoff from Jackson-Reynolds Field. The pilot was injured. Investigators cited inadequate preflight preparation and ice contamination as contributing factors.
Accident Details
The accident involved a twin-engine airplane that departed from Jackson-Reynolds Field. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft was unable to climb properly and stalled. It subsequently crashed in the vicinity of the runway end. The pilot sustained injuries, and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation identified the probable cause as the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation; the pilot failed to clean the aircraft prior to departure. Contributing factors were reported as follows: the pilot did not abort the takeoff; there was ice on the airframe and windshield; all upper surfaces of the aircraft were covered with approximately 1/4 to 3/8 inches of frozen snow; and at impact, the aircraft struck the ground in a nose-high, left-wing-low attitude.