# NTSB ATL88FA059: Cessna 421A, N777RC, Hilton Head Isl, SC, December 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1987, 22:30 local (Dec 11, 1987, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Hilton Head Isl, SC
- Coordinates: 32.159168, -80.759353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1592&lon=-80.7594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88FA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88FA059

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - climb - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT DEPTED COASTAL ARPT AT NIGHT WITH 400 FT PARTIAL OBSCURATION IN PATCHY FOG. GROUND WITNESSES WHO HEARD ACFT DEPICTED A CIRCLING FLT PATH TO THE RIGHT AFTER TAKEOFF. ENG, PROP & TURBO TEARDOWNS DEMONSTRATED BOTH ENGS WERE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER & NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION. ACFT NEVER APPEARED ON RADAR AND NO COMM WAS ATTEMPTED AFTER TAKEOFF. REVIEW OF PILOT RECORDS SHOWED ATYPICALLY LOW TOTAL INSTRUMENT FLT HOURS. PIC WAS CLEARED TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY HEADING AFTER TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO 2000 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777RC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777RC-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 421A0149, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Registry model: [Cessna 421A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421a) (registry code 2076012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421A0149
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tennessee Wings, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1987, 98 hours before
- Departed: 49J, HILTON HEAD ISL, SC
- Destination: CJE, COOKEVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 49J, Hilton Head, runway 21, 4,300 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,970 total, 162 in this make and model, 4,851 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 49J, 1 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 19871210070049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871210070049A), Dec 10, 1987: Cessna 421A, Hilton Head, SC, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Took off at night on an IFR flight in low IMC and struck trees while maneuvering near airport. No mechanical problem

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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