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NTSB Report
December 11, 1987 · Cessna 421A · N777RC
Hilton Head Isl, SC
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Hilton Head Isl, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 421A
Tail Number
N777RC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL88FA059
ACFT DEPTED COASTAL ARPT AT NIGHT WITH 400 FT PARTIAL OBSCURATION IN PATCHY FOG. GROUND WITNESSES WHO HEARD ACFT DEPICTED A CIRCLING FLT PATH TO THE RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF. ENG, PROP & TURBO TEARDOWNS DEMONSTRATED BOTH ENGS WERE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER & NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION. ACFT NEVER APPEARED ON RADAR AND NO COMM WAS ATTEMPTED AFTER TAKEOFF. REVIEW OF PILOT RECORDS SHOWED ATYPICALLY LOW TOTAL INSTRUMENT FLT HOURS. PIC WAS CLEARED TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY HEADING AFTER TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 2000 FEET.
Full Narrative
ACFT DEPTED COASTAL ARPT AT NIGHT WITH 400 FT PARTIAL OBSCURATION IN PATCHY FOG. GROUND WITNESSES WHO HEARD ACFT DEPICTED A CIRCLING FLT PATH TO THE RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF. ENG, PROP & TURBO TEARDOWNS DEMONSTRATED BOTH ENGS WERE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER & NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION. ACFT NEVER APPEARED ON RADAR AND NO COMM WAS ATTEMPTED AFTER TAKEOFF. REVIEW OF PILOT RECORDS SHOWED ATYPICALLY LOW TOTAL INSTRUMENT FLT HOURS. PIC WAS CLEARED TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY HEADING AFTER TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 2000 FEET.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:30 EST
Nearest AirportHilton Head (1nm WNW)
Runway21
Runway Length4300 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421A
Tail NumberN777RC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-D · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 65 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind190° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 64 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:45
Weather SourceWFAC