Cessna 401 — Other Documents

This document is the final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding an accident involving a Cessna 401 aircraft, registration N9DM, which occurred on May 11, 2012. The report details the circumstances leading to the accident, including the malfunction of the cabin heater that resulted in smoke entering the cabin and obscuring the pilot's vision. The report provides a thorough analysis of the events, pilot information, aircraft details, and findings related to the accident. It serves as a critical resource for understanding the factors that contributed to the accident and highlights the importance of proper maintenance and understanding of aircraft systems.

• The Cessna 401 involved was manufactured in 1967 and had a total airframe time of at least 4,831 hours at the time of the accident.
• The aircraft was powered by two TSIO-520-E engines, each rated at 300 horsepower.
• The last annual inspection noted that the cabin heater was inoperative, yet it was used during the flight.
• The heater malfunctioned, causing smoke to enter the cabin, which obscured the pilot's vision and contributed to the accident.
• The pilot had approximately 613 total flight hours, with only 13 hours in the Cessna 401.