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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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March 21, 1984 · Cessna 421C · N260RA

Joliet, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Joliet, IL
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N260RA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI84LA135

THE ACFT PICKED UP MODERATE TO SEVERE ICING WHICH THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD SHAKEN OFF AS HE CYCLED THE DEICE BOOTS. HE SAW THE ICE COME OFF OF THE WINGS BUT COULD NOT SEE THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ON SHORT FINAL AT 100 KTS THE CONTROL YOKE BEGAN VIBRATING. HE INCREASED AIRSPEED & LOWERED THE NOSE BUT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. CLEAR ICE CHUNKS WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY WHICH APPARENTLY BROKE OFF ON LANDING. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE DEICE BOOTSPERFORMED AT A LATER DATE WAS SATISFACTORY ON BOTH THE WING & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SURFACES.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT PICKED UP MODERATE TO SEVERE ICING WHICH THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD SHAKEN OFF AS HE CYCLED THE DEICE BOOTS. HE SAW THE ICE COME OFF OF THE WINGS BUT COULD NOT SEE THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ON SHORT FINAL AT 100 KTS THE CONTROL YOKE BEGAN VIBRATING. HE INCREASED AIRSPEED & LOWERED THE NOSE BUT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. CLEAR ICE CHUNKS WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY WHICH APPARENTLY BROKE OFF ON LANDING. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE DEICE BOOTSPERFORMED AT A LATER DATE WAS SATISFACTORY ON BOTH THE WING & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SURFACES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:00 CST
Nearest AirportJoliet Park Dist. (0nm N)
Runway12
Runway Length2970 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN260RA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-N · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 18 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data