Cessna 402 accident near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, September 27, 2008
On September 27, 2008, a Cessna 402, registered N770CA, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts (Martha'S Vineyard airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of aircraft control due to spatial disorientation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 27, 2008
- Place
- Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts · Martha'S Vineyard · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 402 C · all 402s on the register
- Registration
- N770CA · registry record · serial 402C0432
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the multiengine airplane, operated by a regional airline, was conducting a positioning flight in night instrument meteorological conditions. After takeoff, the airplane made a slight left turn before making a right turn that continued until radar contact was lost. The airplane reached a maximum altitude of 700 feet before impacting terrain about 3 miles northwest of the departure airport. Postaccident examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact failures. The weather reported at the airport, about the time of the accident, included a visibility of 5 statute miles in light rain and mist and an overcast ceiling at 400 feet. Analysis of the radar and weather data indicated that, with the flight accelerating and turning just after having entered clouds, the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation.
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 in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Light condition › Dark › Not specified
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Clouds › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Perception/orientation/illusio › Spatial disorientation › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,746 hours in all; 2,330 in this make and model; 198 in the last 90 days; 109 in the last 30 days; 13,930 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 2, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 26,809 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, September 17, 2008; 39 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,210 lb
- Seats: 10
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Tcm IO-520VB (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hyannis Air Service
The flight
- Departed from: MVY Vineyard Haven MA
- Destination: BOS Boston MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 33, 3,297 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 400 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 pm from MVY, 3 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.