# NTSB ATL83AA235: Cessna 421A, N2960Q, Atmore, AL, June 22, 1983 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report - Date: June 21, 1983, 23:31 local (Jun 22, 1983, 04:31 UTC) - Place: Atmore, AL - Coordinates: 31.01935, -87.489494 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0193&lon=-87.4895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 8 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 5880 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83AA235 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5880/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83AA235 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise - exhaust system,turbocharger - worn (contributing factor) - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor) - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial (contributing factor) - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command - Forced landing, descent - emergency - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command - seat belt - not used, passenger - Loss of control - in flight, approach - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor) - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (cause) - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis ABOUT 20 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED THE RIGHT ENG HAD LOST POWER & THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. VECTORS WERE PROVIDED FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING, BUT THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 3 MI FROM THE ARPT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE GEAR & FLAPS HAD BEEN EXTENDED & THE ACFT HAD ENTERED A TURN BEFORE IMPACTING. BOTH PROPS HAD EVIDENCEOF LOW TO MODERATE POWER & NEITHER WAS FEATHERED. AN EXAM REVEALED UNSYMMETRICAL WEAR ON THE BLADES OF THE RIGHT TURBO- CHARGER; ITS THRUST SPACER, PN 406990-9004, WAS WORN & THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKAGE. THE 13 QT, RIGHT ENG OIL SYS HAD ONLY 6.85 QTS OF OIL REMAINING. BOTH TURBOCHARGERS HAD BEEN INSTALLED DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN APRIL 1983 & PREVIOUSLY HAD BEEN OVERHAULED. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 844 LBS OVER ITS MAX WT LIMIT & THE AFT CG LIMIT WAS EXCEEDED BY ABOUT 4.8 INCHES. SIX OF THE PASSENGERS WERE NOT RESTRAINED BY SEAT BELTS. AN ASSOCIATE ESTIMATED THAT THE PLT HAD ONLY 4 TO 6 HRS OF REST IN THE PREVIOUS 3 TO 4 DAYS. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2960Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2960Q-1990-07-28), registration cancelled 1990-07-28, S/N 421A0060 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A - Registry model: [Cessna 421A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421a) (registry code 2076012) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421A - Airframe hours: 877 - Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: E. Mason Adom, doing business as Odom Flying Service - Registered owner: Mid South Aircraft Sales - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1983 - Departed: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL - Destination: STL, ST.LOUIS, MO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: OR1, Atmore Muni, runway 18, 4,925 × 80 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,150 total, 100 in this make and model, 4,073 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PNS, 38 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19830621026079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830621026079A), Jun 21, 1983: Cessna 421A, Atmore, AL, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Overgrossed by 991 pounds, 8 people and baggage. Lost engine, did not feather. Turbocharger leaking oil, FOD damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.