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NTSB Report
November 2, 1988 · Cessna 421A · N3385Q
Cabazon, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 2, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Cabazon, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 421A
Tail Number
N3385Q
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA030
THE PLT CONTACTED THE ARSA CONTROLLER FOR ADVISORIES AFTER LOSING PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG OVER AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HIS POSITION WAS NEAR A CIVILIAN ARPT WITH LIMITED MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE PLT ADVISED THAT HE DESIRED TO CONTINUE TO A LARGER CIVILIAN ARPT ALONG HIS ROUTE WHERE HE COULD OBTAIN SERVICE. THE PLT THEN INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE COULD BARLEY SEE THE GROUND AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT DUE TO THE PROPELLER NOT FEATHERING. THE ACFT OVERFLEW A SMALL CIVILIAN ARPT AND THE PLT TOLD THE UNICOM OPERATOR THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. THE ACFT OVERFLEW THE HWY AND IMPACTED AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT ENG #3 CYLINDER HEAD FRACTURED ALLOWING THE HEAD TO DISPLACE OUTWARD 3/8 INCH. FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE AT THREADED AREA BTW HEAD AND CYLINDER. THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING FUNCTIONAL TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR DECISION AND MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE. THE SEPARATION OF THE CYLINDER, FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER TO FEATHER, AND IMPACT WITH WIRES AND A RESIDENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT CONTACTED THE ARSA CONTROLLER FOR ADVISORIES AFTER LOSING PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG OVER AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HIS POSITION WAS NEAR A CIVILIAN ARPT WITH LIMITED MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE PLT ADVISED THAT HE DESIRED TO CONTINUE TO A LARGER CIVILIAN ARPT ALONG HIS ROUTE WHERE HE COULD OBTAIN SERVICE. THE PLT THEN INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE COULD BARLEY SEE THE GROUND AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT DUE TO THE PROPELLER NOT FEATHERING. THE ACFT OVERFLEW A SMALL CIVILIAN ARPT AND THE PLT TOLD THE UNICOM OPERATOR THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. THE ACFT OVERFLEW THE HWY AND IMPACTED AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT ENG #3 CYLINDER HEAD FRACTURED ALLOWING THE HEAD TO DISPLACE OUTWARD 3/8 INCH. FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE AT THREADED AREA BTW HEAD AND CYLINDER. THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING FUNCTIONAL TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:13 PST
Nearest AirportBanning Muni (4nm E)
Runway26
Runway Length5200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421A
Tail NumberN3385Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-A · Reciprocating · 375
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 3 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC