# NTSB BFO90LA014: Cessna 421B, N3359Q, Chesapeake, VA, November 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1989, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Chesapeake, VA
- Coordinates: 36.749271, -76.219932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7493&lon=-76.2199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO90LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED DISTANCE AND ALTITUDE TO THE RUNWAY, WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND.  THE LIGHT CONDITION AT DUSK WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT AT DUSK & MADE A VISUAL APCH TO RWY 23.  HE RPRTD THAT AS THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING THRU 350 FT MSL ON FINAL APCH, IT WAS ALIGNED WITH THE RWY, THE AIRSPEED WAS 105 KTS & THE FLAPS WERE EXTENDED 25 DEG. HOWEVER, THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED ABOUT 1/8 MI SHORT OF THE RWY.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS RPRTD.  THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 20 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3359Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3359Q-2007-05-17), registration cancelled 2007-05-17, S/N 421B0243, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0243
- Airframe hours: 3760
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Mid Eastern Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Fay-Hof
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 4, 1989, 75 hours before
- Departed: OCW, WASHINGTON, NC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: W36, Chesapeake, runway 23, 3,590 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,800 total, 35 in this make and model, 9,500 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19891128047449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891128047449A), Nov 28, 1989: Cessna 421B, Chesapeake, VA, Destroyed. Struck trees short of runway on visual approach.

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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