# Accident 20021203036219A: Cessna 421C, Tijique, NM, December 3, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 3, 2002, 20:30 local time
- Place: Tijique, NM
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: GSGA
- Location: 34.7543° N, 106.2871° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7543&lon=-106.2871&mi=10
- Aircraft: N3855C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3855C-2017-06-14) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 421C (registry code 2076016, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GTSI0-520-F-K (registry code 17031, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsi0-520-f-k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Pilot flight hours: 2,500 total, 650 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW03FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA055) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021203036219A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON DECEMBER 3, 2002 AT APPROXIMATELY 2035 MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA 421C TWIN-ENGINE AIRPLANE REGISTERED TO GERALD N. WINGETT AND VICTORIA K. WINGETT AND OPERATED BY AIR TRANSPORT INC., COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE DESCENDING INTO ALBUQUERQUE, NM (KABQ) ON A FLIGHT CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 135. INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME, NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT EL PASO, TEXAS (KELP) ON DECEMBER 3, 2002 AT 1830 MST WITH STOPS IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO AND ALAMOGORDO, NEW MEXICO. NO FURTHER ACTION PLANNED, PILOT DECEASED.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW03FA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03FA055), Dec 4, 2002: Cessna 421C (N3855C), Tajique, NM, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident were the high mountains, mountain obscuration, the dark night condition, and the pilot's improper in-flight…

## Other reports on N3855C (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19900127009849I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900127009849I), Jan 27, 1990: Cessna 421C (N3855C), Navajo Dam, NM, Minor damage. On takeoff uneven power caused aircraft to veer off runway. Nose gear collapsed. Runway slick.
- [Incident 19840507027729I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840507027729I), May 7, 1984: Cessna 421C (N3855C), Midland, TX, Minor damage. While taxiing to park the nose landing gear collapsed.
- [Incident 19830406033949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830406033949I), Apr 6, 1983: Cessna 421C (N3855C), Midland, TX, Minor damage. Landing gear collapsed on the takeoff roll. No defects found except metal shavings may have shorted gear selector.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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