Cessna 402B accident near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, May 27, 2016
On May 27, 2016 at about 2:15 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna 402B, registered N76MD, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Joe Foss Field Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the No. 4 cylinder head, which resulted in an engine fire and subsequent damage to the wing structure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2016 · about 2:15 pm local time
- Place
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota · Joe Foss Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402B B, built 1977 · all 402Bs on the register
- Registration
- N76MD · registry record · serial 402B1055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot in the left seat and the airline transport pilot in the right seat were conducting new-hire training for the left-seat pilot. While maneuvering for a practice approach, the pilots noticed the left engine was running rough. The left-seat pilot activated the auxiliary fuel pump, and the roughness resolved temporarily. Shortly thereafter, the left engine tachometer went to zero, and the left-seat pilot noticed flames emitting from the left engine cowling. The pilots declared an emergency, secured the left engine, and landed the airplane uneventfully; the wing structure was damaged by the fire. Examination of the left engine revealed thermal damage to the No. 4 cylinder, consistent with a preexisting crack condition that allowed exhaust gas to erode the cylinder head and 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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during approach defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
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: 3,997 hours in all; 1,849 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 2,945 as pilot in command; 1,072 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 9, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,248 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 90 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 975 as pilot in command; 845 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 30, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,479 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 4, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 6,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor TSIO-520-E (piston); 1,343 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor TSIO-520-E (piston); 228 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSD Sioux Falls SD at 1:40 pm
- Destination: FSD Sioux Falls SD
- Runway 15, 8,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 1:56 pm from FSD
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 9, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Sdr Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Cylinder Examination - NTSB | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N76MD the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.