Convair CV-600-240D accident near Augusta, Maine, August 4, 1989
On August 4, 1989 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Convair CV-600-240D, registered N94253, was substantially damaged in an accident near Augusta, Maine (Augusta airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER CONTROL SYSTEM FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER ENCOUNTERING DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING A VFR FERRY FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, A FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS, AND THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL GROUND LOOP.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 1989 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Augusta, Maine · Augusta
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Convair CV-600-240D CV-600-240
- Registration
- N94253 · no longer on the register · serial 114
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DIVERTED TO AUGUSTA AFTER ENCOUNTERING DETERIORATING WX. LOST INVERTERS, COMPASS SYSTEM DURING ILS, EXECUTED GO-AROUND. SECOND APPROACH MADE VISUAL TO LANDING. PROPS WOULD NOT ENTER FINE PITCH, BRAKING NOT EFFECTIVE. PLT STEERED AIRPLANE OFF RUNWAY DOWN EMBANKMENT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,100 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 57 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 2,350 as pilot in command; 1,250 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, August 3, 1989
- Maximum gross weight: 46,850 lb
- Seats: 41
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce RDA-10/IMK542 (turboprop); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BGR Bangor ME at 9:40 pm
- Destination: BUF Buffalo NY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 13 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:47 pm from AUG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 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.