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NTSB Report
August 16, 1987 · Cessna 421C · N26596
Clifton, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Clifton, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N26596
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA306
THE FLT DEPTD RY 25 AT GREENLEE CTY ARPT, CLIFTON, AZ ON A VFR FLT TO PHOENIX, AZ. THE PLT & GND WITNESSES RPTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, GRAYISH/WHITE SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FEATHER THE PROP, CIRCLED THE ARPT ABT 2 TIMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND LANDED BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION DSCLSD THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER. THE TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE HOUSING WAS FOUND FRACTURED. THE HOUSING WAS MISSING WHEN THE ENGINES WERE SHIPPED TO TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS (TCM). THE ENGINE CRATES WERE OPENED BEFORE SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS ARRIVED AT TCM TO CONDUCT THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. THE LEFT ENGINE EXAM DISCLSD EXTERNAL HIGH TEMP DISTRESS AND MINOR DETONATION SIGNATURES.
Full Narrative
THE FLT DEPTD RY 25 AT GREENLEE CTY ARPT, CLIFTON, AZ ON A VFR FLT TO PHOENIX, AZ. THE PLT & GND WITNESSES RPTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, GRAYISH/WHITE SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FEATHER THE PROP, CIRCLED THE ARPT ABT 2 TIMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND LANDED BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION DSCLSD THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER. THE TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE HOUSING WAS FOUND FRACTURED. THE HOUSING WAS MISSING WHEN THE ENGINES WERE SHIPPED TO TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS (TCM). THE ENGINE CRATES WERE OPENED BEFORE SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS ARRIVED AT TCM TO CONDUCT THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. THE LEFT ENGINE EXAM DISCLSD EXTERNAL HIGH TEMP DISTRESS AND MINOR DETONATION SIGNATURES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:14 MST
Nearest AirportGreenlee County (1nm S)
Runway25
Runway Length4985 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN26596
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 5 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point7 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT