Cessna 421C Safety Record

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed after shutting down one engine, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the guidance contained in the pilot’s operating handbook, which advised feathering the propeller of the secured engine and retracting the flaps and landing gear.

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during a single-engine approach and his failure to fly an appropriate traffic pattern for a single-engine landing. Contributing to the accident was a total loss of engine power on the right engine due to a fatigue failure of the right engine cam gear.

The pilot’s decision to operate into a known area of adverse weather, which resulted in the inadvertent penetration of a severe thunderstorm, a subsequent loss of control, and in-flight breakup of the airplane.

The failure of line personnel to ensure that the airplane was serviced with the proper fuel. Contributing to the accident was the Federal Aviation Administration's approval of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) which allowed an improper fuel filler opening, and the complacency in non-standard fueling practices by fixed base operator (FBO) line personnel.

The pilot not obtaining proper alignment with the runway during the emergency landing after takeoff, which imparted an excessive side load on the landing gear. Factors contributing to the accident were the unstabilized approach and engine shutdown due to the oil leak.

The incorrect installation of the torque link scissor assembly by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear during landing.

The main landing gear malfunctioned and failed to extend during the landing approach for an undetermined reason, which resulted in a main gear up landing.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Icing conditions, clouds and the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather were factors.

The pilot's improper in-flight decision to execute a go-around without raising the landing gear and raising the flaps to the full UP position, resulting in low airspeed and the airplane stalling. Contributing factors to the accident included the pilot's failure to comply with the manufacturer's mandatory service bulletin and the failure of the starter adapter shaft gear which resulted in the loss of power to the left engine, and the collision with the building.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during cruise flight, resulting in collision with trees. Contributing factors were the low altitude and low ceiling.

The inadequate flare and the directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot. Contributing factors were the instrument meteorological conditions, the icing conditions, the limited visibility afforded by the windshield antiice/deice system, and the runway/approach lighting system.

The pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selector valves, which resulted in a loss of power to the left engine due to fuel exhaustion. After the power loss, the pilot failed to follow checklist procedures and did not secure (feather) the left propeller, which resulted in a loss of altitude and subsequent forced landing.

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed in the landing flare to compensate for airframe icing, which resulted in a premature stall and hard landing. The degraded aircraft performance due to airframe ice was a contributing factor.

the pilot became lost/disoriented during the approach, failed to maintain course alignment with the missed approach procedure, and subsequently lost control of the airplane.

The pilot's failure to follow IFR procedures by not following the published approach procedures, which resulted in an in-flight collision with terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling, and the pressure induced by conditions/events (the open baggage door).

The separation of the upper and lower right main landing gear scissor links due to improper maintenance, which resulted in a ground loop, and the collapse of the right main landing gear during the landing roll.