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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 28, 1985 · Cessna 421C · N98487

Butte, MT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 28, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Butte, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N98487
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN85LA093

WHILE IN LEVEL FLT THE PLT NOTICED A PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY THE APPEARANCE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT HYDRAULIC FLOW LIGHTS. THE PLT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR DURING THE APCH, HOWEVER, THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT EXTEND. FLAMES WERE THEN NOTICED BURNING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE PLT SECURED THE ENGINE, USED THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION FOR THE NOSE GEAR AND LANDED THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FIRE STARTED FROM HYDRAULIC FLUID WHICH SPRAYED FROM A BROKEN HYDRAULIC LINE ONTO THE SUPERCHARGER. A SWIVEL HOSE ALUMINUM FITTING, P/N AE70101JZ174, ON THE HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Full Narrative

WHILE IN LEVEL FLT THE PLT NOTICED A PUFF OF SMOKE EMIT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE, FOLLOWED BY THE APPEARANCE OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT AND RIGHT HYDRAULIC FLOW LIGHTS. THE PLT LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR DURING THE APCH, HOWEVER, THE NOSE GEAR DID NOT EXTEND. FLAMES WERE THEN NOTICED BURNING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE LEFT ENGINE COWLING. THE PLT SECURED THE ENGINE, USED THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION FOR THE NOSE GEAR AND LANDED THE ACFT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FIRE STARTED FROM HYDRAULIC FLUID WHICH SPRAYED FROM A BROKEN HYDRAULIC LINE ONTO THE SUPERCHARGER. A SWIVEL HOSE ALUMINUM FITTING, P/N AE70101JZ174, ON THE HYDRAULIC LINE FAILED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN98487
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520L · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data