# NTSB ATL93LA081: Cessna 421B, N14A, Fort Payne, AL, April 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1993, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Fort Payne, AL
- Coordinates: 34.44984, -85.68927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4498&lon=-85.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 8 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8738
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8738/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WINDS DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF THAT RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE RUNWAY, EXCEEDING THE DESIGN LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AND UPON LANDING AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear - overload (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A DOWNDRAFT AT LIFTOFF, DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE SETTLING BACK ON THE RUNWAY. HE ELECTED TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT, SINCE THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A LANDING GEAR PROBLEM. DURING THE TOUCHDOWN PHASE OF THE APPROACH, AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED OVERLOAD STRUCTURAL  DAMAGE IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND TO THE RIGHT WING CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE SUSTAINED DURING A HARD LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14A-1997-04-15), registration cancelled 1997-04-15, S/N 421B0373 (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: 421-0373
- Airframe hours: 4782
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSI0-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southern Airways Inc.
- Registered owner: Southern Airways Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1992
- Departed: DKX, KNOXVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4A9, Isbell Field, runway 22, 4,200 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 23,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 22,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 55 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 19930415009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930415009379A), Apr 15, 1993: Cessna 421B, Fort Payne, AL, Substantial damage. Downdraft on takeoff. Hit runway but continued. Over stressed gear collapsed on landing. Reported to be revenue trip

## Other investigations on N14A (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI95FA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95FA328), Sep 21, 1995: Cessna 421B (N14A), Coldwater, MI, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed, while maneuvering (turning) at low altitude, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the…

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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