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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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September 25, 1990 · Cessna 421B · N316MH

Jefferson, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 25, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Jefferson, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N316MH
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL90FA179

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING LOW OVR TREES, FLWD BY A RAPID ROLL TO THE LEFT & A COLLISION WITH WOODED TRRN. ONE WITNESS RPRTD SEEING GRAY SMOKE TRAILING THE LEFT ENG BFR THE CRASH. AN INSPN OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE SPARK PLUGS WERE BLACK & HEAVILY SOOTED. NEITHER PROP HAD BEEN FEATHERED BFR THE ACDNT. THE LNDG GEAR WAS FND IN AN EXTENDED PSN. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CESSNA MULTI-ENG SVC BULLETIN (SB) 88-3 WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH. THIS SB MODIFIED THE FUEL SYS TO PROVIDE FOR DRCT PLT (RATHER THAN AUTOMATIC) ACTUATION OF THE OUTPUT PRESSURE OF THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMPS. BOTH ENGS RAN SATISFACTORILY ON A TEST STAND FLWG THE ACDNT. NO OTR EVIDENCE OF MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PERFORM THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (VMC), WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING LOW OVR TREES, FLWD BY A RAPID ROLL TO THE LEFT & A COLLISION WITH WOODED TRRN. ONE WITNESS RPRTD SEEING GRAY SMOKE TRAILING THE LEFT ENG BFR THE CRASH. AN INSPN OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE SPARK PLUGS WERE BLACK & HEAVILY SOOTED. NEITHER PROP HAD BEEN FEATHERED BFR THE ACDNT. THE LNDG GEAR WAS FND IN AN EXTENDED PSN. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CESSNA MULTI-ENG SVC BULLETIN (SB) 88-3 WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH. THIS SB MODIFIED THE FUEL SYS TO PROVIDE FOR DRCT PLT (RATHER THAN AUTOMATIC) ACTUATION OF THE OUTPUT PRESSURE OF THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMPS. BOTH ENGS RAN SATISFACTORILY ON A TEST STAND FLWG THE ACDNT. NO OTR EVIDENCE OF MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 EDT
Nearest AirportJackson County (1nm SE)
Runway16
Runway Length4108 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN316MH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data