# NTSB CHI83FA383: Cessna 421C, N386G, Centerto, IN, August 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1983, 07:25 local (12:25 UTC)
- Place: Centerto, IN
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 7 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12018
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA383
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12018/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA383

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - flt control syst,elevator trim/tab control - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING A CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, HE ENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT. WHILE MAKING AN ENTRY ON A TRIP SHEET, HE FELT A BUMP & NOTED THAT THE ACFT HAD STARTED TO DESCEND. HE DISENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT & THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN VIOLENTLY.REDUCING POWER HAD AN ADVERSE EFFECT, SO HE INCREASED POWER AGAIN. HE FINALLY LEVELED THE ACFT JUST PRIOR TO IMPACTING IN A FIELD AT CRUISE POWER. THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB CABLES WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN CROSSED BETWEEN THE TAB ACTUATOR & THE PULLEY IN THE TAIL CONE. THE TAB WAS ALSO FOUND FULLY TRIMMED NOSE DOWN. THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN GIVEN AN ANNUAL INSPECTION DURING WHICH THE ELEVATOR TRIM ACTUATOR HAD BEEN REMOVED, INSPECTED & LUBRICATED. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLT SINCE THE INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N386G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N386G-1983-11-03), registration cancelled 1983-11-03, S/N 421C0251, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C 0251
- Airframe hours: 1484
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: M.F.S. Associates
- Registered owner: Larry R. Mohr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 1983, 0 hours before
- Departed: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN
- Destination: DCY, WASHINGTON, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,138 total, 97 in this make and model, 3,889 as pilot in command, 101 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND, 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 19830816041699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830816041699A), Aug 16, 1983: Cessna 421C, Centerton, IN, Destroyed. Began to dive. Cut off autopilot. Held yoke back until impact. Over gross and aft of CG. Elevator trim backwards.

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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