Cessna 414 accident near Ray, Michigan, August 30, 2020
On August 30, 2020 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 414, registered N698D, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Ray, Michigan (Ray Community airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control on takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 30, 2020 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Ray, Michigan · Ray Community · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 414 Undesignat, built 1970 · all 414s on the register
- Registration
- N698D · no longer on the register · serial 414-0046
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the preflight, taxi, and run-up were normal and that the brakes of the twin-engine airplane operated normally. He reported that during takeoff, the airplane suddenly veered to the right, which he attempted to counteract with left rudder input. He ultimately decided to abort the takeoff, but, according to the pilot, the airplane was already partially in the grass. It travelled through the grass, turned 90° to the left, and the landing gear collapsed. A pilot-rated witness reported seeing the airplane taxi onto the runway and that the airplane did not use the displaced threshold as available runway for takeoff. The airplane stopped on the runway and then the engines went to full power. During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left, then overcorrected to the right, at which time the airplane was going to exit the runway. The airplane became airborne and attempted to fly in ground effect with the wings “wallowing near stall.” One wing dropped and the airplane impacted the ground. The fuselage sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane was limited due to impact damage; however, there were no preimpact anomalies noted that would have precluded normal operations. Based on the available information, the pilot lost directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
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
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 528.0 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 6,349 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: PTK Pontiac MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 2,495 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,500 ft; a few clouds at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from MTC, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on June 29, 2022. 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 Statement | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Weather Information | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photograph of Accident Airplane | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.
