# NTSB CHI82FA209: Cessna 421, N421CB, Racine, WI, June 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1982, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Racine, WI
- Coordinates: 42.720344, -87.799537 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7203&lon=-87.7995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA209

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE EXPERIENCED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE ENROUTE. A COUPLED ILS APPROACH WAS FLOWN WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT THE PLT STATED HE HAD TO WORK HARD. THE FLT BROKE OUT AT ABOUT 1,000 FT MSL & AT THIS TIME HE ACQUIRED VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE RWY. HE ESTIMATED THE VISIBILITY AT 2 MI WITH MODERATE RAIN. AT ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM THE RWY THE ACFT DROPPED & LOST AIRSPEED.  THE PLT RELAXED UP ELEVATOR PRESSURE & ADDED POWER. THE ACFT STRUCK SMALL BRANCHES AT THE TOPSOF TREES & THE PLT CONTINUED THE VISUAL PORTION OF THE APPROACH. THE ACFT THEN LANDED HARD & THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. THERE IS A TERRAIN DROP-OFF NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RWY 4.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N421CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421CB-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 421-0100, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4210100
- Airframe hours: 2651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: C.F. Moore Construction Compan
- Registered owner: C.F. Moore Construction Compan
- Departed: GYY, GARY, IN
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RAC, Horlick-Racine, runway 4, 5,805 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,554 total, 43 in this make and model, 2,364 as pilot in command, 329 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft broken
- Temperature: 151 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKE, 13 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 19820615022569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820615022569A), Jun 15, 1982: Cessna 421, Racine, WI, Substantial damage. Below glide path on approach. Brushed tree tops on final. Failed to arrest high sink rate. Runway impact damage.

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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