Summary
On February 10, 2019, a Cessna 421 (N581CJ) was involved in an incident near Woodruff, WI. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank.
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on a plowed, snow-covered runway for an instrument flight, he could "feel the [airplane] pulling to the right" and corrected with opposite rudder but the airplane slowly exited the runway to the right and impacted a snowbank.
The twin-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to both propellers and the right engine mount.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110° at 5 knots, 1 1/4 statute mile visibility, overcast at 900 ft, temperature 18°F, dew point 12°F, and light snow.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA143. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N581CJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain to directional control during takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a right, quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a snowbank.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff roll on a plowed, snow-covered runway for an instrument flight, he could "feel the [airplane] pulling to the right" and corrected with opposite rudder but the airplane slowly exited the runway to the right and impacted a snowbank.
The twin-engine airplane sustained substantial damage to both propellers and the right engine mount.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 5 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 110° at 5 knots, 1 1/4 statute mile visibility, overcast at 900 ft, temperature 18°F, dew point 12°F, and light snow. The airplane departed on runway 36.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA143