# NTSB ATL84FA248: Cessna 421C, N98457, Kennesaw, GA, August 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1984, 07:32 local (11:32 UTC)
- Place: Kennesaw, GA
- Coordinates: 34.020526, -84.610343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0205&lon=-84.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6293
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6293/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA248

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT ENTERED CLOUDS AT LOW ALT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ACFT THEN TURNED SHARPLY BACK TOWARD THE ARPT & DESCENDED BELOW THE CLOUDS. IT ROLLED OUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE CRASH SITE WITH THE WINGS ROCKING. ONE WITNESS SAID THE ACFT 'TURNED OVER 2 OR 3 TIMES' BEFORE IT CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N98457 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nichols Industries Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1984
- Departed: 8A4, KENNESAW, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 869 total, 11 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MGE, 7 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 19840808040939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840808040939A), Aug 8, 1984: Cessna 421C, Kennesaw, GA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Took off, low ceiling, tried to return to airport, impacted trees inverted. No determination of mechanical defects.

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.

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