Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III

Around 1950 eastern daylight saving time (EDT), the Cessna 421C aircraft, registration C-GVPB, operated by les Ailes de Charlevoix inc., took off on a visual flight rules (VFR) charter flight from Charlevoix Airport, Quebec, to Trois-Rivières, Quebec, with one pilot and five passengers on board. Shortly after take-off, witnesses saw greyish smoke emanating from the left engine. The aircraft entered a steep left turn followed by a descent. It then continued in the new direction. Shortly after, the aircraft yawed and entered an uncontrolled roll, nosed down, and crashed. The aircraft caught fire on impact. All six occupants were fatally injured during the impact. The aircraft was destroyed.

About 2 minutes after takeoff, the pilot declared an emergency, stating that he had lost an engine and needed to return to the airport. The airplane descended into rough, brush-covered terrain and then struck a large dirt berm, about 1-1/2 miles northeast of the departure airport. Examination of the engines did not reveal any obvious mechanical malfunction. The fuel was correct. Combustion chamber signatures indicated that the engines were operated at a lean or mild detonation condition. The flaps were extended about 30 degrees and the landing gear was retracted. The surviving passenger could not recall any dramatic engine problems, only that the airplane could not maintain altitude. The pilot and front seat passenger were not wearing shoulder harnesses.

Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported he had 'a problem' and needed to return immediately. Witnesses observed dark black smoke coming from both engines. The airplane collided with a tree 1/2-mile northeast of the runway threshold. Analysis of fuel samples revealed the presence of approximately 50% jet fuel. The right propeller was found feathered and engine disassembly revealed a hole burned in the right engine number 5 piston. Left engine disassembly revealed piston edges eroded down to the first compression ring. Fuel filler restrictors had been installed in the airplane's fuel tanks, but the fuel truck did not have the restrictive mating nozzle. The fuel truck was owned by the fuel vender and leased to the FBO.

The part 135 on-demand air taxi flight departed Denver, Colorado, with a destination of Columbus, Nebraska. Weather forecasts were for icing conditions along the entire route of flight. While en route, ATC advised the pilot of reported icing ahead. The pilot was cleared to climb to 19,000 feet to get on top of the clouds. The pilot reported 'some alternator problems,' and requested to divert to North Platte, Nebraska. He then elected to divert to McCook, Nebraska, due to the weather at North Platte. ATC lost communication with the pilot during the diversion. Witnesses reported the airplane circled the McCook Airport twice. According to them, the airplane entered a bank of about 45°, then stalled. Subsequently, it traveled about 190 feet through a stand of trees before coming to rest. Witnesses reported the airplane was covered with ice. One-half inch of mixed ice was found on a piece of windshield. Both alternators had one phase in the stator winding shorted.

Witnesses on the ground reported that the engines sounded normal while the airplane was taxiing to takeoff. After takeoff witnesses reported seeing white smoke trailing the left engine. The airplane was observed to bank to the left with a bank angle of about 90°. The airplane then pitched nose down, descended, and collided with trees and the ground. Examination of the left engine oil separator from the turbocharger assembly revealed that a section of pipe near a flange which is connected to the turbocharger oil outlet failed due to fatigue. There was no other failure or malfunction noted with the left or right engines and propellers. The mixture control arm on the left engine fuel control unit was found in the 'off' position. Additionally, the fuel selectors and magneto switches were also found in the 'off' position. A pilot-rated passenger occupied the left forward seat.

The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Budapest-Ferihegy Airport. In unknown circumstances, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed near the control tower, bursting into flames. Both occupants were injured.

A Cessna 421 crashed after an inflight breakup. Investigation disclosed that the left outboard portion of the elevator assembly (including the balance weight) separated first, resulting in empennage flutter and subsequent in-flight breakup of the empennage. The left elevator outboard hinge and support structure exhibited evidence of hinge overtravel. The left horizontal stabilizer front spar had failed downward; rivets that attached the left outboard hinge to the rear spar of the left stabilizer had sheared; and the left elevator center hinge had been pulled off the rear spar. About 100 flight hours before the accident, maintenance was performed to repair the left elevator balance weight (which was loose) and to repair a damaged stiffener in the center structure of the horizontal stabilizer. However, when examined after the accident, the balance weight was tight and the repair to the stiffener was intact. All three occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel Airport runway 23, while climbing by night to a height of about 1,000 feet, the twin engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying in a normal cruise attitude when it rolled inverted and the nose dropped near vertical to the terrain. The airplane descended in a near vertical dive. The nose of the airplane started to come up horizontal to the terrain when it struck a 75-ft tree. During the post crash investigation, no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found. Both occupants were killed.

Twelve minutes after departure, the left engine began to run rough and vibrate. The pilot said he could not correct the problem and shut the left engine down. No emergency was declared and the pilot told ATC that he would continue to his destination, 210 nm and 1.5 hours away. The pilot overflew 5 airports with runways over 5,000 feet long and a mountain range. The pilot executed a VOR approach and entered an extended downwind pattern. On short final the pilot executed a go around because he did not get any gear down indications. He then maneuvered for a downwind landing on runway 12. The aircraft hit the ground 100 yards short of the runway, then collided with a ditch and the airport fence. An FAA inspector said there were three clear tire tracks from the point of touchdown to the ditch, where the gear was sheared off. He found no problems with the gear system. Exam of the left engine revealed a left magneto internal failure due to lack of lubrication and wear, which caused cylinder cross firing.