Cessna 421 Safety Record

THE IMPROPER RIGGING OF THE LANDING GEAR SAFETY SQUAT SWITCH BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CONTAMINATION OF THE GEAR SQUAT SWITCH WITH CORROSION AND WATER.

the pilot's attempt to make a 180-degree turn in soft sand at a speed which imposed side loading on the nose gear. Factors were the pilot's decision to continue the approach beyond the planned touchdown point, the effect of the runway surface on braking action, and the bird strike.

THE HARD LANDING, AS A RESULT OF THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED RATE OF DESCENT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL SWERVE OFF THE TAXIWAY TO AVOID A GROUND COLLISION. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS AN UNDETERMINED MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM.

the pilot's use of an excessive taxi speed, and his misjudgment of the distance to the approaching intersection. A factor in the accident was the dark night lighting conditions which effected the pilot's perception of the taxiway layout.

IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH JET FUEL, WHICH RESULTED IN PREIGNITION AND/OR DETONATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF PISTONS IN BOTH ENGINES. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF A RESTRICTIVE MATING NOZZLE ON THE REFUELING TRUCK.

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WERE: PARTIAL FAILURE OF BOTH ALTERNATORS, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUBSEQUENT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE AND AN INOPERATIVE ANTI-ICE/DE-ICE SYSTEM, ADVERSE WEATHER (ICING) CONDITIONS, AND AIRFRAME (WING) ICE.

FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN VMC RESULTING IN THE INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF A SECTION OF PIPE ADJACENT TO A FLANGE WHICH CONNECTS TO THE TURBOCHARGER OIL OUTLET OF THE LEFT ENGINE ASSEMBLY.

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING APPROACH TO AN EMERGENCY LANDING. A RELATED FACTOR WAS: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE BEFORE FLIGHT.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY, EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND UPON LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

FAILURE OF THE LEFT ELEVATOR FOR UNDETERMINED REASON(S), WHICH RESULTED IN FLUTTER AND FAILURE OF THE EMPENNAGE, AND SUBSEQUENT UNCONTROLLED COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN.

1) THE INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE, LEFT MAGNETO DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND NON COMPLIANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS SERVICE BULLETINS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, AND 2) THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT TO SHUT OFF THE LEFT MAGNETO AND THE FALSE LANDING GEAR INDICATIONS, BOTH FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

THE EXPLOSION OF FUEL VAPORS IN THE RIGHT WING DUE TO THE PILOT'S OVERPRIMING OF THE RIGHT ENGINE DURING A START ATTEMPT AND AN UNCORRECTED PREEXISTING FUEL SYSTEM LEAK. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE AIRCRAFT.

THE OWNER/PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING AN OPERATION BEYOND HIS EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLIMB PROFILE NECESSARY FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE. ALSO, THE OWNER/PILOT LACKED INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, AND WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS ABILITY. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HILLY TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

THE ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH STARTED IN A COMPONENT THAT WAS PART OF A DOOR SEAL MODIFICATION. ALSO CAUSAL TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS UNAPPROVED AIRPLANE MODIFICATION.