# NTSB ATL84MA114: Cessna 421B, N3291Q, Cullman, AL, March 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1984, 18:36 local (Mar 6, 1984, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Cullman, AL
- Coordinates: 34.170352, -86.829071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1704&lon=-86.8291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 6 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84MA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84MA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT CLEARED FOR NIGHT NDB RWY 19 APCH TO FOLWOM FIELD. ERRATIC RADAR TRACK DRG PROCEDURE TURN AND INBD INTERCEPT. WITNESSES DESCRIBED 200 FT CEILING AND REDUCED VIS IN FOG AT AIRPORT. OTHER WITNESSES OBSERVED ACFT ON NORTHBOUND COURSE,FOLLOWED BY TURN TO WEST AT ROOFTOP HEIGHT,WELL BELOW MDA,AT A POINT ONE MILE NORTHEAST OF ARPT. ENG OPERATION SOUNDED NORMAL. ACFT CONTACTED TREES AT ABOUT AIRPORT ELEVATION,1 MILE NORTH OF AIRPORT. WRECKAGE PRODUCED 632 FT PATH. SEVERED LIMBS,PROP DMG AND ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF POWER AT IMPACT. 62 YEAR OLD PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN WITH CFI IN YEARS, INSTRUMENT CURRENCY UNKNOWN. PLT FND TO HAVE SEVERE CORONARY ATHEROSCLEROSIS WITH NEAR TOTAL OCCLUSION OF RT CORONARY ARTERY AND EVIDENCE OF PAST TOTAL OCCLUSION OF LEFT CIRCUMFLEX CORONARY ARTERY. CEILING LOWER THAN FCST FOR AREA. FLT PURPOSE TO CARRY EMPLOYEES TO MEET TRUCK,GO JOB SITE. LIMITATION ON PLT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE,NOT FOR NIGHT FLIGHT. SUNSET AT 1745 CST, 51 MINUTES BEFORE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3291Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3291Q-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 421B0911 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0911
- Airframe hours: 2478
- Engines: Teledyne Cont GTSI0-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anderson Tile/Carpet Distrib.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1983, 429 hours before
- Departed: MGM, MONTGOMERY, AL
- Destination: 3A1, CULLMAN, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 3A1, Folsom Field, runway 19, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,423 total, 1,599 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Observed at: HSV

## 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 19840305006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840305006979A), Mar 5, 1984: Cessna 421B, Cullman, AL, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Went below minimum descent altitude and impacted trees short of runway. IFR pilot currency not verified.

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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