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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 22, 1992 · Cessna 421B · N39PW

Columbus, OH

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 22, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Columbus, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N39PW
Operator
Shoeware
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC92LA124

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED WHICH FORCED THE PILOT TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE CABIN INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN 'UNAPPROVED' CABIN DOOR SEAL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A COMPONENT OF THIS DOOR SEAL INSTALLATION THAT CONTAINED AN ELECTRIC MOTOR, AN AIR PUMP AND A MICROSWICH. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT ALL PARTS INVOLVED IN THE DOOR SEAL SYSTEM WERE NON-CESSNA PARTS AND THEE WAS NO REFERENCE TO PRESSURIZED DOOR SEALS IN THE CESSNA 421 MANUALS. NO RECORD OF AN FAA FORM 337 FOR THE INSTALLATION WERE FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED IN A COMPONENT THAT WAS PART OF A DOOR SEAL MODIFICATION. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS UNAPPROVED AIRPLANE MODIFICATION.

Full Narrative

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED WHICH FORCED THE PILOT TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE CABIN INTERIOR WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN 'UNAPPROVED' CABIN DOOR SEAL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A COMPONENT OF THIS DOOR SEAL INSTALLATION THAT CONTAINED AN ELECTRIC MOTOR, AN AIR PUMP AND A MICROSWICH. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT ALL PARTS INVOLVED IN THE DOOR SEAL SYSTEM WERE NON-CESSNA PARTS AND THEE WAS NO REFERENCE TO PRESSURIZED DOOR SEALS IN THE CESSNA 421 MANUALS. NO RECORD OF AN FAA FORM 337 FOR THE INSTALLATION WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN39PW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorShoeware
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520H · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data