# Accident 20021225034989A: Cessna 421, Akron, CO, December 25, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 25, 2002, 10:06 local time
- Place: Akron, CO
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.1833° N, 103.2386° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1833&lon=-103.2386&mi=10
- Aircraft: N421D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421D-2017-05-22) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 421 (registry code 2076010, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GTSIO-520 series (registry code 17046, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB DEN03FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA025) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021225034989A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THE FLIGHT DEPARTED ON AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) FLIGHT PLAN FROM CENTENNIAL AIRPORT (APA) ENGLEWOOD, CO AT 0933MST ON DECEMBER 25, 2002. AT 1001MST, THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE DENVER AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER (ZDV) THAT THE LEFT ENGINE HAD AN OIL LEAK AND REQUESTED TO LAND AT THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN APPROACH TO THE AKRON (AKO) COLORADO AIRPORT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING WESTBOUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO PITCH DOWN AND SPIRAL TWO TIMES AND CRASH. THE AIRCRAFT EXPLODED ON IMPACT AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE KILLED.

## 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 DEN03FA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03FA025), Dec 25, 2002: Cessna 421 (N421D), Akron, CO, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The fractured connecting rods and the pilot not maintaining aircraft control following the engine failure. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, the pilot not maintaining…

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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