Cessna 414A accident near Aberdeen, South Dakota, March 23, 2011
On March 23, 2011 at about 1:30 am local time, a Cessna 414A, registered N4057C, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Aberdeen, South Dakota (Aberdeen Regional Airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswinds during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2011 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Aberdeen, South Dakota · Aberdeen Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 414A · all 414As on the register
- Registration
- N4057C · registry record · serial 414A0848
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that there was snow and ice on the runway. During takeoff, a strong crosswind gust forced the airplane to veer off the left side of the runway and the airplane struck runway lights. The pilot managed to maneuver the airplane back on the runway and he shut down the engines. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed substantial damage as a result of a puncture in the pressure vessel of the airplane. The pilot reported that there was no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure of the airplane.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surfa › Snow/slush/ice covered › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,136 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 125 in the last 90 days; 54 in the last 30 days; 1,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 19, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Crew member
No details recorded.
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,316 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, February 16, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 7,087 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ABR Aberdeen SD at 2:30 am
- Destination: FSD Sioux Falls SD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 31, 6,901 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 050° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.59 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from ABR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.