Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II

Operator:

Registration:

N1536T

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Milwaukee - Dayton

MSN:

421B-0306

YOM:

1973

Location:

Brookfield

Wisconsin

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8389

Captain / Total hours on type:

27.00

Circumstances:

After takeoff from Milwaukee-Lawrence J. Timmerman Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems with the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While trying to join the approach path, he lost control of the airplane that crashed in flames on a road located in Brookfield, about five miles southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure or malfunction during climb to cruise. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to fuel injection system obstructed,
- Foreign material affected normal operations,
- The pilot's attention diverted from operation of aircraft,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Low ceiling,
- N°1 cylinder nozzle core on left engine was partially blocked,
- Fuel flow 18 pounds per hour observed spinning.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Buffalo: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 16, 1972 at 1033 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N121X

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Buffalo - Allentown

MSN:

421B-0166

YOM:

1971

Location:

Buffalo

New York

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

2600

Captain / Total hours on type:

80.00

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Buffalo Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine lost power. The aircraft banked left, lost height then crashed onto several houses located in the residential area of Cheektowaga, about two miles south of the airport. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed as well as three people on the ground.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during initial climb. The following factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- Improper operation of powerplant and powerplant controls,
- Fuel system: selector valves,
- Exhaust system: other,
- Ignition system: spark plug,
- Carbon deposit,
- Airframe ice,
- Icing conditions including sleet and freezing rain,
- Snow showers,
- Power loss on left engine,
- Spark plug fouled,
- Possible slow waste gate open,
- Fuel shut off,
- Propeller not feathered.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II near Fort Hancock: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 29, 1972 at 1815 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

N5959M

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Corpus Christi - Phoenix

MSN:

421B-0202

YOM:

1971

Location:

Fort Hancock

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

4710

Captain / Total hours on type:

15.00

Circumstances:

While cruising over a mountainous area, the twin engine airplane adopted a slight descent until it struck the slope of a mountain located near Fort Hancock. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found. The wreckage was localized on December 9, 1972, in an isolated area. Both occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. It was established that the airplane flew into rising terrain while in a slight descent for undetermined reason.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Kalispell

Date & Time: Oct 7, 1972 at 1830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Nasco Leasing Company

Registration:

N424WP

Flight Phase:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Kalispell - Boulder

MSN:

421B-0143

YOM:

1971

Location:

Kalispell

Montana

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

3860

Captain / Total hours on type:

278.00

Circumstances:

Following a long takeoff roll, the pilot-in-command decided to abort. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the twin engine airplane overran and came to rest. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both occupants were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Powerplant for undetermined reason. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command exercised poor judgment,
- The pilot-in-command failed to abort takeoff,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Used all of runway before liftoff,
- No engine malfunction found while pilot stated left engine failed.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Cleveland: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1972 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Jerrico

Registration:

N123QF

Flight Phase:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Cleveland - Lexington

MSN:

421B-0139

YOM:

1971

Location:

Cleveland-Hardwick

Tennessee

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

8500

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Cleveland-Hardwick Airport, while in initial climb, the right engine lost power. The pilot was cleared to return for an emergency landing and started an immediate turn before trying to feather the right propeller. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane lost height, stalled and crashed, killing all five occupants.

Probable cause:

Loss of power on the right engine during initial climb due to material failure. The following factors were reported:
- Powerplant failure due to master and connecting rods failure,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to maintain flying speed,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Right engine n°5 cylinder connecting rod bolt failed,
- The pilot tried to return to airport before feathering the right propeller,
- Aircraft near gross weight.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II in Pataskala: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1972 at 1132 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

N5977M

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Executive/Corporate/Business

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Ann Arbor - Columbus

MSN:

421B-0220

YOM:

1972

Location:

Pataskala

Ohio

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

1563

Captain / Total hours on type:

500.00

Circumstances:

While approaching Columbus-John Glenn in marginal weather conditions, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck power cables and trees, stalled and crashed in Pataskala, about 10,5 miles east of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was caused by the incapacitation of the pilot. The following factors were reported:
- Low ceiling and fog,
- The pilot had moderate to severe arteriosclerosis.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II off Boston: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1972 at 2011 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Winer Sportswear

Registration:

N456CB

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Boston - Teterboro

MSN:

421B-0112

YOM:

1971

Location:

Boston-Logan

Massachusetts

Country:

Region: