# NTSB ATL90FA179: Cessna 421B, N316MH, Jefferson, GA, September 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Jefferson, GA
- Coordinates: 34.130676, -83.59027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1307&lon=-83.5903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA179

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PERFORM THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (VMC), WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
  - fuel system
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear retraction - not attained, pilot in command
  - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING LOW OVR TREES, FLWD BY A RAPID ROLL TO THE LEFT & A COLLISION WITH WOODED TRRN. ONE WITNESS RPRTD SEEING GRAY SMOKE TRAILING THE LEFT ENG BFR THE CRASH. AN INSPN OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE LEFT ENGINE SPARK PLUGS WERE BLACK & HEAVILY SOOTED. NEITHER PROP HAD BEEN FEATHERED BFR THE ACDNT. THE LNDG GEAR WAS FND IN AN EXTENDED PSN. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT CESSNA MULTI-ENG SVC BULLETIN (SB) 88-3 WAS NOT COMPLIED WITH. THIS SB MODIFIED THE FUEL SYS TO PROVIDE FOR DRCT PLT (RATHER THAN AUTOMATIC) ACTUATION OF THE OUTPUT PRESSURE OF THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMPS.  BOTH ENGS RAN SATISFACTORILY ON A TEST STAND FLWG THE ACDNT.  NO OTR EVIDENCE OF MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N316MH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316MH-1992-10-27), registration cancelled 1992-10-27, S/N 421B0327 (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: 421B0327
- Airframe hours: 3004
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Texfi Industries Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1990, 134 hours before
- Departed: 19A
- Destination: GSP, GREER, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 19A, Jackson County, runway 16, 4,108 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 16 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 19900925042319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900925042319A), Sep 25, 1990: Cessna 421B, Jefferson, GA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost partial power left engine. Failed to secure. Lost control below VMC. Fuel pressure switch defect. No AD action

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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