# NTSB CHI84FA303: Cessna 421, N14TC, Birchwood, WI, July 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1984, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Birchwood, WI
- Coordinates: 45.649826, -91.549598 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6498&lon=-91.5496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12413
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA303
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12413/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA303

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT TRANSMITTED TO ARTCC 'WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM, WE'RE LOSING ALTITUDE.'  THE CONTROLLER PROVIDED A VECTOR TO THE NEAREST ARPT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT. THE PLT DID NOT INFORM ARTCC OF HIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, EXCEPT TO SAY THAT THE ACFT WAS DESCENDING RAPIDLY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM AN OPEN AREA. DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE LEFT INBOARD (AUX) FUEL TANK. ALL OF THE OTHER TANKS WERE RUPTURED FROM IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE WAS FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND IN THE FEATHERED POSITION & THE RIGHT PROP WAS FOUND PARTIALLY FEATHERED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED & BOTH OPERATED SATISFACTORILY, AFTER FUEL WAS SUPPLIED BY TEMPORARY TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14TC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14TC-1990-03-27), registration cancelled 1990-03-27, S/N 4210105 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-0105
- Airframe hours: 6194
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Chura And Joseph Heinlein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 21, 1984, 18 hours before
- Departed: IKK, KANKAKEE, IL
- Destination: YMG, WINNIPEG
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,202 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,026 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAU, 49 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 19840720033699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840720033699A), Jul 20, 1984: Cessna 421, Birchwood, WI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Switched to aux tanks too soon, vented fuel overboard. Fuel exhaustion, both engines quit. Steep angle impact.

## Other investigations on N14TC (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 CHI81FEV31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEV31), Aug 16, 1981: Cessna 421 (N14TC), Springfield, IL, substantial 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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