Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I

John Chura & Joseph Heinlein

Operator:

Registration:

N14TC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Kankakee – Winnipeg

MSN:

421A-0105

YOM:

1968

Location:

Birchwood

Wisconsin

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1202

Captain / Total hours on type:

31.00

Aircraft flight hours:

6194

Circumstances:

During flight, the pilot transmitted to ARTCC 'we've got a problem, we're losing altitude.' The controller provided a vector to the nearest airport, but shortly after that, the pilot stated that he would not be able to reach the airport. The pilot did not inform ARTCC of his specific problem, except to say that the aircraft was descending rapidly. Subsequently, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area about 1/2 mile from an open area. During the investigation, about 1 quart of fuel was found remaining in the left inboard (aux) fuel tank. All of the other tanks were ruptured from impact. No evidence of fuel spillage was found at the accident site. The left prop was found in the feathered position and the right prop was found partially feathered. No preimpact part failure or malfunction was found. Both engines were started and both operated satisfactorily, after fuel was supplied by temporary tanks. The pilot and two passengers were killed while a fourth occupant was seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power (total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) aircraft preflight - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (c) fluid, fuel - exhaustion
3. (c) fuel supply - inadequate - pilot in command
4. Aircraft performance, two or more engines - inoperative
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
5. (f) object - tree(s)
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in West Jordan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 20, 1983 at 0855 LT

Type of aircraft:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Operator:

Ralph Anderson

Registration:

N2239Q

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

West Jordan - Spanish Fork

MSN:

421A-0039

YOM:

1967

Location:

West Jordan

Utah

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4156

Captain / Total hours on type:

132.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4180

Circumstances:

Investigation revealed that the pilot aborted two takeoff attempts due to a 'roughness' in one engine. Not able to duplicate the roughness during subsequent ground checks, the pilot departed. At an altitude of 300 feet agl the left engine began to surge and the right engine, according to the pilot, 'seemed to be delivering no power either and I could feel the plane decelerating.' The pilot stated he turned the aircraft to miss a housing development. A witness stated that the left wing dropped and the aircraft dove into the ground at about 45° angle. Investigation failed to reveal any reason for loss of engine power. Both passengers were seriously injured and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Atmore: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1983 at 2331 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Odom Flying Service

Registration:

N2960Q

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Pensacola - Saint Louis

MSN:

421A-0060

YOM:

1968

Location:

Atmore

Alabama

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4150

Captain / Total hours on type:

100.00

Aircraft flight hours:

877

Circumstances:

About 20 minutes after takeoff the pilot reported the right engine had lost power and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Vectors were provided for an emergency landing, but the aircraft crashed in a wooded area about 3 miles from the airport. There was evidence that the gear and flaps had been extended and the aircraft had entered a turn before impacting. Both props had evidence of low to moderate power and neither was feathered. An exam revealed unsymmetrical wear on the blades of the right turbocharger; its thrust spacer, pn 406990-9004, was worn and there was evidence of oil leakage. The 13 qt, right engine oil system had only 6.85 qts of oil remaining. Both turbochargers had been installed during an annual inspection in april 1983 and previously had been overhauled. The aircraft was estimated to be 844 lbs over its max weight limit and the aircraft cg limit was exceeded by about 4.8 inches. Six of the passengers were not restrained by seat belts. An associate estimated that the pilot had only 4 to 6 hours of rest in the previous 3 to 4 days. All eight occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf
Phase of operation: climb - to cruise
Findings
1. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - worn
2. (f) maintenance - improper - other maintenance personnel
3. (f) fluid,oil - leak
4. (f) exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial
5. Propeller feathering - not performed - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent - emergency
Findings
6. (f) preflight planning/preparation - improper - pilot in command
7. (f) aircraft weight and balance - exceeded - pilot in command
8. Passenger briefing - inadequate - pilot in command
9. Seat belt - not used - passenger
----------
Occurrence #3: loss of control - in flight
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
10. (f) light condition - dark night
11. (c) in-flight planning/decision - improper - pilot in command
12. (f) fatigue - pilot in command
13. (c) emergency procedure - improper - pilot in command
14. (f) lack of familiarity with aircraft - pilot in command
15. (c) gear extension - premature - pilot in command
16. (f) lowering of flaps - premature - pilot in command
17. (c) airspeed (vmc) - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #4: in flight collision with object
Phase of operation: descent - uncontrolled
Findings
18. (f) object - tree(s)

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in George Town

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1982

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N4567L

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

421A-0167

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll from George Town Airport, Exuma, one of the engine failed. Control was lost and the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during takeoff due to an apparent cylinder failure.

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Richmond: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1982 at 0912 LT

Type of aircraft:

Atlas Plastics Corporation

Operator:

Registration:

N33KC

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Saint Louis – Richmond

MSN:

421A-0026

YOM:

1967

Location:

Richmond

Indiana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2250

Captain / Total hours on type:

400.00

Aircraft flight hours:

4231

Circumstances:

During a VOR approach to runway 05 when 3 miles away from the airport at minimums ground contact was not made. The pilot stated that she elected to perform a missed approach but before power was applied the copilot raised the flaps. She further stated that she then felt a sinking feeling and put in more power. The aircraft crashed in an open field approximately 2.3 miles southwest of the airport. A pilot was killed while two other occupants were seriously injured.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
1. (f) weather condition - fog
2. (f) weather condition - below approach/landing minimums
3. (c) in-flight planning/decision - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - FAF/outer marker to threshold (IFR)
Findings
4. Missed approach - attempted - pilot in command
5. (c) crew/group coordination - inadequate - pilot in command
6. (c) raising of flaps - improper
7. (c) remedial action - inadequate - pilot in command
8. (c) self-induced pressure - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I near Miami: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1982 at 0546 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Bruce L. McWhorter

Registration:

N24CC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Miami - Miami

MSN:

421A-0043

YOM:

1967

Location:

Miami

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2850

Captain / Total hours on type:

560.00

Aircraft flight hours:

3096

Circumstances:

The flight departed the Tamiami Airport, Miami, Florida at approximately 2100 est on February 9, 1982. There was no flight plan filed and the purpose, destination, and locations of possible enroute stops were not determined. The next reported communication with the flight was at 0533 on February 11, 1982 when the following transmission was recorded on the Miami international airport's control tower frequency: "mayday-mayday-mayday twin Cessna 421CC going in west of Miami, going in west of Miami." The aircraft initially impacted the terrain while on an easterly heading in a near level attitude. It bounced and impacted the second time in a 40° nose down attitude and flipped inverted. The wing fuel tanks ruptured in the crash but the main tanks were intact and found void of fuel. Both propellers separated during the crash sequence and the blade distortions were not indicative of power at the time of impact.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical
Phase of operation: cruise
Findings
1. (c) fluid,fuel - exhaustion
2. (c) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
3. (c) judgment - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: descent
----------
Occurrence #3: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
4. (f) weather condition - fog
5. (f) light condition - dark night
6. (f) terrain condition - rough/uneven

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Long Beach

Date & Time: Aug 9, 1981 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

R. J. Mellon

Registration:

N19RJ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Las Vegas - Long Beach

MSN:

421A-0192

YOM:

1968

Location:

Long Beach

California

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2000

Captain / Total hours on type:

70.00

Circumstances:

On approach to Long Beach, both engines flames out. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane struck power cables and a fence before coming to rest. All four occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during traffic pattern and subsequent collision with wires/poles due to mismanagement of fuel. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Fuel starvation,
- Forced landing off airport on land,
- Found main fuel tanks empty,
- Auxiliary tanks nearly full.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Fort Lauderdale: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1981 at 1608 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

George P. Tsiotis

Registration:

N4484

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Fort Lauderdale-Executive

Schedule:

Bimini - Fort Lauderdale

MSN:

421A-0061

YOM:

1968

Location:

Florida

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

820

Circumstances:

While descending to Fort Lauderdale-Executive Airport, the pilot was instructed to initiate a go-around as a private Cessna 172 registered N739DV was on the runway. Its pilot, sole on board, was completing local touch-and-go manoeuvre. Twenty seconds later, ATC informed the pilot of the Cessna 421 that the C172 was on his right. Both airplanes collided and crashed near the airport, bursting into flames. All six occupants in both aircraft were killed.

Probable cause:

In-flight collision during a go-around after the pilot failed to see and avoid other aircraft. The following contributing factors were reported:
- ATC issued improper or conflicting instructions,
- Inadequate spacing of aircraft on part of ATC.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in Lisbon: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1980 at 2016 LT

Type of aircraft: