Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

Operator:

Aero Consultant Service

Registration:

HB-LGP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Palermo - Rome - Milan

MSN:

421A-0094

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Palermo to Milan with an intermediate stop in Rome for refueling. Four minutes after his departure from Rome-Urbe Airport, while climbing to an altitude of 1,500 meters, the crew informed ATC about technical problems. Control was lost and the airplane crashed in a huge explosion near several houses located in La Storta, about 12 km north of Rome-Urbe Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all seven occupants were killed.

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Palm Springs: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1973 at 1604 LT

Type of aircraft:

Prescott Valley Flying Service

Operator:

Registration:

N42J

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Phoenix - Palm Springs

MSN:

421A-0185

YOM:

1968

Location:

Palm Springs

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2190

Circumstances:

On approach to Palm Springs Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed in an isolated area. The wreckage was found a day later and all three occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who conducted improper or non-standard IFR approach for unknown reason.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Jefferson: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1972 at 1015 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3390Q

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Wheeling - Jefferson

MSN:

421A-0120

YOM:

1968

Location:

Jefferson

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Jefferson-Ashtabula County Airport, the pilot completed a steep left turn to join the approach path when the twin engine airplane stalled and crashed in flames. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain flying speed. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling, fog and icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Airframe ice,
- Ice windshield,
- Stalled during steep left turn on final on a VOR circling approach.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Midland

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1972 at 1310 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4087L

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Midland - Ponca City

Location:

Midland

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

13745

Captain / Total hours on type:

627.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Midland Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine caught fire. The pilot declared an emergency and did not feather the propeller. He reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a field and came to rest in flames. All five occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Fire on left engine during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Failure of the fuel system: lines and fittings,
- Fuel leak,
- Fuel starvation,
- Engine fire,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Fuel control line leaked, left engine caught fire, unfeathered propeller.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Athens: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1971 at 0005 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Robert C. Haase

Registration:

N3198K

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Knoxville - Athens

MSN:

421A-0008

YOM:

1967

Location:

Athens

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2900

Captain / Total hours on type:

49.00

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Athens-McMinn County Airport, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in flames by the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Uncontrolled collision with ground caused by improper operation of the flight controls. The pilot lost control of the aircraft during turning pull-up type maneuver after low pass over the runway.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I Donaldson Center: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1971 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Brookside-Pratt Mining Company

Operator:

Registration:

N3194K

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Donaldson AFB-Donaldson Center Airport (Greenville)

Schedule:

Donaldson Center – Greenville

MSN:

421A-0004

YOM:

1967

Location:

South Carolina

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4140

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Donaldson Center Airport, the twin engine airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. It banked left then stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine malfunction during initial climb for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Physical impairment,
- Partial loss of power on one engine for unknown reason,
- Aircraft observed left turn in a nose high attitude,
- Engines appeared running low RPM,
- Pilot blood alcohol level 1,83 ‰.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Cadillac

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1971 at 1905 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4555L

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Carroll - Cadillac

MSN:

421A-0155

YOM:

1968

Location:

Reed City

Michigan

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8606

Captain / Total hours on type:

1100.00

Circumstances:

While descending to Cadillac Airport, Michigan, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to night and snow showers and failed to realized his altitude was too low. The twin engine airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located in Reed City, some 28 miles south of Cadillac-Wexford County Airport. All three occupants were seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures. The following factors were reported:
- Improper altimeter setting,
- Snow showers,
- Struck trees at an altitude of 1,050 feet, altitude reading 1,700 feet.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Bath: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1970 at 1156 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N3155K

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Ambler - Ambler

MSN:

421A-0127

YOM:

1968

Location:

Bath

Pennsylvania

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

6085

Captain / Total hours on type:

8.00

Circumstances:

The crew departed Ambler Airport on a local FAA autopilot certification test flight. Following circuits over the region, the crew was returning to Ambler when he encountered foggy conditions. While cruising at an insufficient altitude, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located in Bath, about 40 miles north of Ambler. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Improper IFR operation on part of the pilot who diverted attention from operation of aircraft. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Low ceiling and fog,
- VFR day only,
- Descended below MDA during a VOR approach,
- No aircraft, engine or system malfunction found.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Calgary: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1969

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CF-XEC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site: