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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 7, 1987 · Cessna 421B · N8043Q

Deland, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Deland, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N8043Q
Operator
Sager William F
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA88FA005

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE FLYING SLOWLY, THEN ROLL STEEPLY TO THE LEFT AND DIVE INTO AN UNOCCUPIED HOUSE FROM ABOUT 300 FT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT HAD CONSIDERABLE FLT TIME BUT HE HAD NOT FLOWN THIS MODEL, EXCEPT FOR A 35 MIN CHECKOUT THAT MORNING. THE CHECKOUT CONSISTED OF 3 TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. THE PLT'S FRIEND, A RATED PLT WITHOUT A MULTIENGINE RATING, SAT IN THE RIGHT COCKPIT SEAT & HAD LOGGED FLT TIME IN THE PLT'S OTHER TWIN AIRCRAFT. A WITNESS STATED THE PLT LOOKED PALE & APPEARED TROUBLED JUST BEFORE THE FLT. THE AUTOPSY OF THE PLT REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN CORONARY ARTERY WAS BLOCKED EXCEPT FOR A 'PINHOLE' OPENING. THE DOCTOR STATED THE CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEIZURE BUT COULD NOT SAY WHETHER IT HAD ANY BEARING ON THIS ACCIDENT. NO EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO INDICATE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRFRAME, PROPELLERS, OR ENGINES. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 134 POUNDS OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO BE FLYING SLOWLY, THEN ROLL STEEPLY TO THE LEFT AND DIVE INTO AN UNOCCUPIED HOUSE FROM ABOUT 300 FT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT HAD CONSIDERABLE FLT TIME BUT HE HAD NOT FLOWN THIS MODEL, EXCEPT FOR A 35 MIN CHECKOUT THAT MORNING. THE CHECKOUT CONSISTED OF 3 TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS. THE PLT'S FRIEND, A RATED PLT WITHOUT A MULTIENGINE RATING, SAT IN THE RIGHT COCKPIT SEAT & HAD LOGGED FLT TIME IN THE PLT'S OTHER TWIN AIRCRAFT. A WITNESS STATED THE PLT LOOKED PALE & APPEARED TROUBLED JUST BEFORE THE FLT. THE AUTOPSY OF THE PLT REVEALED THE LEFT MAIN CORONARY ARTERY WAS BLOCKED EXCEPT FOR A 'PINHOLE' OPENING. THE DOCTOR STATED THE CONDITION COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEIZURE BUT COULD NOT SAY WHETHER IT HAD ANY BEARING ON THIS ACCIDENT. NO EVIDENCE COULD BE FOUND TO INDICATE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE AIRFRAME, PROPELLERS, OR ENGINES. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 134 POUNDS OVER GROSS WEIGHT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 EDT
Nearest AirportDELAND (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length6003 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN8043Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSager William F
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520H · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data