Cessna 525C accident near Columbus, Ohio, May 9, 2014
On May 9, 2014 at about 7:37 pm local time, a 2011 Cessna 525C, registered N718MV, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Columbus, Ohio (Rickenbacker 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 visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight crew’s decision to attempt an engine start in conditions that exceeded the engine's maximum allowable ground start crosswind component limitation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2014 · about 7:37 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Ohio · Rickenbacker · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 525C, built 2011 · all 525Cs on the register
- Registration
- N718MV · no longer on the register · serial 525C0041
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The multi-engine turbofan airplane was substantially damaged when the left engine experienced an uncontained fire during engine start. After being alerted to the fire by ground crewmembers, the flight crew shut down both engines and egressed the airplane. At the time of engine start, the airplane was subject to gusting crosswinds up to 24 knots. The aircraft flight manual specified a maximum allowable crosswind component of 19 knots during ground starts. The accident is consistent with a disruption of airflow through the engine due to the crosswind, which resulted in an engine fire.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Evacuation during standing (engine(s) shutdown)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Powerplant parameters › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Flight crew
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,125 hours in all; 1,450 in this make and model; 128 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 7,776 as pilot in command; 1,027 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 28, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,341 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 740 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, March 6, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 17,230 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Williams FJ 44-4A (turbofan); 740 hours total
- Engine 2: Williams FJ 44-4A (turbofan); 740 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Capital City Jet Center INC
The flight
- Departed from: KLCK Columbus OH
- Destination: KTZR Columbus OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from KLCK
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.