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NTSB Report
June 17, 1989 · Cessna 421 · N421S
Picacho, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 17, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Location
Picacho, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 421
Tail Number
N421S
Operator
William E Hamilton
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA217
THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS RETRACTED AND THE LEFT PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLIMB SLIGHTLY. AS IT PASSED OVER GREEN FIELDS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A COTTON FIELD AND THE LEFT TIP TANK BURST INTO FLAMES AS IT TOUCHED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE FAILED. ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 1,600 FEET MST, OAT WAS 114 DEGREES F. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,600 FEET.
NTSB Probable Cause
FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE ON THE LEFT ENGINE. A MAJOR FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WHERE THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT OPERATE ON SINGLE ENGINE.
Full Narrative
THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS RETRACTED AND THE LEFT PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLIMB SLIGHTLY. AS IT PASSED OVER GREEN FIELDS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A COTTON FIELD AND THE LEFT TIP TANK BURST INTO FLAMES AS IT TOUCHED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE FAILED. ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 1,600 FEET MST, OAT WAS 114 DEGREES F. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,600 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421
Tail NumberN421S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam E Hamilton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor4
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 50 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point12 C / 45 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO