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NTSB Report
July 20, 1984 · Cessna 421 · N14TC
Birchwood, WI
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Birchwood, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 421
Tail Number
N14TC
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI84FA303
DURING FLT, THE PLT TRANSMITTED TO ARTCC 'WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM, WE'RE LOSING ALTITUDE.' THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED A VECTOR TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. THE PLT DID NOT INFORM ARTCC OF HIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, EXCEPT TO SAY THAT THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM AN OPEN AREA. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE LEFT INBOARD (AUX) FUEL TANK. ALL OF THE OTHER TANKS WERE RUPTURED FROM IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION & THE RIGHT PROP WAS FOUND PARTIALLY FEATHERED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED & BOTH OPERATED SATISFACTORILY, AFTER FUEL WAS SUPPLIED BY TEMPORARY TANKS.
Full Narrative
DURING FLT, THE PLT TRANSMITTED TO ARTCC 'WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM, WE'RE LOSING ALTITUDE.' THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED A VECTOR TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. THE PLT DID NOT INFORM ARTCC OF HIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, EXCEPT TO SAY THAT THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM AN OPEN AREA. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE LEFT INBOARD (AUX) FUEL TANK. ALL OF THE OTHER TANKS WERE RUPTURED FROM IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION & THE RIGHT PROP WAS FOUND PARTIALLY FEATHERED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED & BOTH OPERATED SATISFACTORILY, AFTER FUEL WAS SUPPLIED BY TEMPORARY TANKS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 421
Tail NumberN14TC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 375
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC