Cessna 414 accident near Maryland Heights, Missouri, June 26, 2014
On June 26, 2014 at about 9:57 am local time, a 1972 Cessna 414, registered N1552T, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Maryland Heights, Missouri (Creve Coeur airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of left engine power for reasons that could not be determined due to impact and fire damage.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2014 · about 9:57 am local time
- Place
- Maryland Heights, Missouri · Creve Coeur · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 414 UNDESIGNAT, built 1972 · all 414s on the register
- Registration
- N1552T · no longer on the register · serial 414-0267
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff, the twin-engine airplane's left front baggage door opened. He attempted to return to the airport, but the left engine lost engine power while the airplane was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern. The airplane subsequently impacted power lines and terrain. An explosion occurred during the impact sequence, and a fire ensued that almost completely consumed the airframe. Teardown examination of the right engine revealed no anomalies. A test run of the left engine revealed no anomalies; however, due to impact and fire damage, it was not possible to fully test or examine the left engine's fuel system. The reason for the left engine's loss of power could not be determined.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 775 hours in all; 90 in this make and model; 82 in the last 90 days; 34 in the last 30 days; 667 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,626.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 6, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 6,765 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Cont Motor TSIO-520-NcNB (piston); 3,376 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 1H0 Maryland Heights MO
- Destination: HOP Fort Campbell/Hopkinsville KY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 16, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 25,000 ft; a few clouds at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 am from STL, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
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.