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NTSB Report

February 11, 1985 · Cessna 421C · N6866K

Albuquerque, NM

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N6866K
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FA075

THE PLT WAS FLYING HIS WIFE & HER 4 FRIENDS TO ASPEN, CO FOR A SKI VACATION. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE RGT BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED. THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN LEFT ONTO A DOWNWIND WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. EIGHT WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENG(S) WERE PRODUCING POWER OF VARYING DEGREES; 2 STATED THE LEFT ENG STOPPED RUNNING & 2 REPORTED THE RGT ENG HAD A REDUCTION OF POWER OR RPM. IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE THE PLT WOULD HAVE MADE A BASE TURN, THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN, COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF TREES BESIDE A ROAD, IMPACTED IN THE ROADWAY ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, SLID TO A STOP & BURNED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE GEAR WAS DOWN, THE LEFT PROP WAS FEATHERED & THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE RGT BAGGAGE DOOR WAS OPEN. THE THROTTLE QUADRANT WAS FOUND WITH THE LEFT THROTTLE 2/3 FORWARD, THE RGT THROTTLE FULL AFT, THE LEFT PROP CONTROL IN THE FEATHER POSITION, THE RGT PROP CONTROL FULL FORWARD & THE MIXTURES AT ORNEAR THEIR FORWARD POSITIONS. THE FLT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACFT WERE CONSIDERED NORMAL WITH THE BAGGAGE DOOR OPEN.

Full Narrative

THE PLT WAS FLYING HIS WIFE & HER 4 FRIENDS TO ASPEN, CO FOR A SKI VACATION. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE RGT BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED. THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT TURN LEFT ONTO A DOWNWIND WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. EIGHT WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENG(S) WERE PRODUCING POWER OF VARYING DEGREES; 2 STATED THE LEFT ENG STOPPED RUNNING & 2 REPORTED THE RGT ENG HAD A REDUCTION OF POWER OR RPM. IN THE VICINITY OF WHERE THE PLT WOULD HAVE MADE A BASE TURN, THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT DESCENDING TURN, COLLIDED WITH THE TOPS OF TREES BESIDE A ROAD, IMPACTED IN THE ROADWAY ON AN EASTERLY HEADING, SLID TO A STOP & BURNED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE GEAR WAS DOWN, THE LEFT PROP WAS FEATHERED & THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE RGT BAGGAGE DOOR WAS OPEN. THE THROTTLE QUADRANT WAS FOUND WITH THE LEFT THROTTLE 2/3 FORWARD, THE RGT THROTTLE FULL AFT, THE LEFT PROP CONTROL IN THE FEATHER POSITION, THE RGT PROP CONTROL FULL FORWARD & THE MIXTURES AT ORNEAR THEIR FORWARD POSITIONS. THE FLT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ACFT WERE CONSIDERED NORMAL WITH THE BAGGAGE DOOR OPEN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:15 MST
Nearest AirportCORONADO (1nm S)
Runway35
Runway Length4020 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN6866K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-N · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (6 fatalities)
Fatal6
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 54 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 9 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 9 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data