# Accident 20230624010359A: Cessna 421, Rockport, TX, June 24, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 24, 2023, 16:10 local time
- Place: Rockport, TX
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Climb
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 28.0206° N, 97.0544° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0206&lon=-97.0544&mi=10
- Aircraft: N123SM, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N123SM-2026-04-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 421 (registry code 2076010, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GTSIO-520-C (registry code 17035, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR GTSIO-520-C
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 983 total, 59 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA267) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230624010359A

## Narrative

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

^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ SERIAL NUMBER 421-0193 A CESSNA 421 DEPARTED CORPUS CHRISTI (KCRP) WITH A DESTINATION TO HOUSTON (K''') ON A PART 91 ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^FLIGHT ON JUNE 24, 2023.

APPROXIMATELY EIGHTEEN MINUTES INTO FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A (REPORTED RIGHT HAND) ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS.

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER SLOWED AND THE QUICKLY STOPPED HE THE REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT QUICKLY LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND ENTERED A VMC STALL SPIN. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE SPIN AND ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN OFF AIRPORT (LANDING GEAR EXTENDED) LANDING APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES NORTH EAST OF THE ROCKPORT (KRKP) AIRPORT.

THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN A GRASS FIELD ON AN APPROXIMATE 190 HEADING WITH AN APPROXIMATE 100 YARD TOTAL DISTANCE FROM INITIAL IMPACT AND FINAL STOP.

THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT AND TO HAVE ROTATED ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS TO THE LEFT ON AND ON AN APPROXIMATE 020 HEADING.

THE AIRCRAFT SUBSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE DURING THE OFF AIRPORT LANDING.

BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR WERE FOUND DETACHED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. THE HORIZONTAL STABILZER APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR (AFTER IT DETACHED) AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. SEVERAL FUSELAGE WRIKLES WERE FOUND NEAR THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT AS WELL.

## 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 CEN23LA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA267), Jun 24, 2023: Cessna 421 (N123SM), Rockport, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left engine starter adapter gear, which resulted in catastrophic damage to other engine components, and the subsequent loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N123SM (2)

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

- [Accident 19830224005789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830224005789A), Feb 24, 1983: Cessna 421 (N123SM), Dayton, TN, Substantial damage. Misdialed RNAV approach. Struck trees on final approach segment still in clouds. Remained airborne. Landed safe.
- [Accident 19790504015089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790504015089A), May 4, 1979: Cessna 421 (N123SM), Sevierville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot undershot runway. When landing gear hit edge of runway, the right main gear collapsed.

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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