# NTSB BFO87LA049: Cessna 421, N9764J, Gordonsville, VA, July 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1987, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Gordonsville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.019695, -78.350044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0197&lon=-78.3500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11329
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO87LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11329/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO87LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN TAKING OFF FROM A DOWNWARD SLOPING, 2300 FT RWY IN LIGHT WINDS. THE RPRTD TEMP WAS 92 DEG; THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 2500 FT. THE PLT RPRTD THE ACFT ACCELERATED NORMALLY TO V1 SPEED; HOWEVER, IT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES ABOUT 350 TO 500 FT BEYOND THE RWY, THEN STRUCK THE GROUND AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT ANOTHER 1000 FT. PERFORMANCE CHARTS SHOWED THE ACFT WOULD HAVE NEEDED A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 2200 FT TO CLEAR A 50 FT OBSTACLE IN CALM WIND. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 010 DEG AT 3 TO 5 KTS. A WITNESS RPRTD A 3 TO 5 KT TAILWIND. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9764J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-0028
- Airframe hours: 1975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald A. Henke
- Registered owner: D & F Investments
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 24, 1987
- Departed: GVE
- Destination: CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
- Airport: GVE, Gordonsville Muni, runway 4, 2,300 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,723 total, 201 in this make and model, 1,578 as pilot in command, 116 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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