# NTSB ATL85FA079: Cessna 340, N4124Q, Johnson City, TN, January 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1985, 00:57 local (05:57 UTC)
- Place: Johnson City, TN
- Coordinates: 36.460803, -82.489883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4608&lon=-82.4899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - descent - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, descent
  - engine assembly,cylinder - cracked (cause)
  - ignition system,magneto - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - material defect, production/design personnel (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,distributor - arcing (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - gear extension - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - not selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS IFR AT 17000 FT FLYING THRU WX SIGMET AREA FOR SEVERE ICING WHEN THE PLT REQUESTED A DESCENT DUE TO AIRFRAME ICE AND TURBULENCE. DURING THE DESCENT THE PLT REPORTED SHUTTING DOWN THE RIGHT ENG. ON FINAL APCH FOR AN OFF-ARPT LANDING ATTEMPT THE ACFT STALLED AND SPUN TO GROUND CONTACT. CHUNKS OF ICE WERE FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. POST IMPACT EXAM OF THE RIGHT ENG REVEALED CRACKS IN THE #2, #5 AND #4 CYLINDERS. THE #4 CYLINDER HAD BURNED THRU AT THE EXHAUST PORT. THE RIGHT MAGNETO HAD UNACCEPTABLE OUTER CASE FRACTURES WHICH WERE FILLED WITH A RUBBER LIKE SEALANT. THE DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK HAD EVIDENCE OF SEVERE DESTRUCTIVE ARCING AND CROSSFIRING. NO DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH BENDIX SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 612 DEALING WITH INSPECTION OF THE MAGNETOS WAS FOUND. THE RIGHT ENG PROP WAS NOT IN THE FEATHERED POSTITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4124Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4124Q-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 340-0088, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Registry model: [Cessna 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340) (registry code 2076404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0088
- Airframe hours: 2467
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-J 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Emmett M. Lunceford, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1984, 113 hours before
- Departed: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Destination: CAE, COLUMBIA, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,965 total, 117 in this make and model, 39 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRI, 12 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 19850117000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850117000839A), Jan 17, 1985: Cessna 340CESSNA, Johnson City, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Right engine shutdown, unable to maintain altitude due to airframe ice. Nosed into ground. SIGMET for icing.

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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