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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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December 17, 1984 · Cessna 421C · N6865D

Vancourt, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Vancourt, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 421C
Tail Number
N6865D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW85LA080

AFTER A COMPLETE WX BRF THE PLT DEPARTED INTO KNOWN IFR COND WELL BELOW APCH MIN AT THE DEST ARPT WITH INADEQUATE FUEL RESERVES AND NO FIELD ALTERNATE. AFTER 2 MISSED APCHS THE PLTS DESIRED ALTERNATE WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. EN ROUTE TO A SECOND ALTERNATE AIRPORT A DOUBLE ENG PWR LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS EXPERIENCED. A GEAR UP FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY WAS PERFORMED AFTER ATC PERSONNEL ASSISTED THE PLT IN ESTABLISHING VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

AFTER A COMPLETE WX BRF THE PLT DEPARTED INTO KNOWN IFR COND WELL BELOW APCH MIN AT THE DEST ARPT WITH INADEQUATE FUEL RESERVES AND NO FIELD ALTERNATE. AFTER 2 MISSED APCHS THE PLTS DESIRED ALTERNATE WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. EN ROUTE TO A SECOND ALTERNATE AIRPORT A DOUBLE ENG PWR LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS EXPERIENCED. A GEAR UP FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY WAS PERFORMED AFTER ATC PERSONNEL ASSISTED THE PLT IN ESTABLISHING VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:03 CST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway6
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421C
Tail NumberN6865D
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 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:36
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data