# NTSB CHI84LA135: Cessna 421C, N260RA, Joliet, IL, March 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1984, 09:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Joliet, IL
- Coordinates: 41.549762, -88.129013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5498&lon=-88.1290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12566/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA135

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - anti-ice/deice system - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT PICKED UP MODERATE TO SEVERE ICING WHICH THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD SHAKEN OFF AS HE CYCLED THE DEICE BOOTS. HE SAW THE ICE COME OFF OF THE WINGS BUT COULD NOT SEE THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. ON SHORT FINAL AT 100 KTS THE CONTROL YOKE BEGAN VIBRATING. HE INCREASED AIRSPEED & LOWERED THE NOSE BUT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING. CLEAR ICE CHUNKS WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY WHICH APPARENTLY BROKE OFF ON LANDING. AN OPERATIONAL CHECK OF THE DEICE BOOTSPERFORMED AT A LATER DATE WAS SATISFACTORY ON BOTH THE WING  & HORIZONTAL STABILIZER SURFACES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N260RA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260RA), registered now, S/N 421C1004, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (registry code 17039, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C1004
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-N 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Bays Toyota
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 123, WASH COURT HOUS, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: JOT, Joliet Park Dist., runway 12, 2,970 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,430 total, 70 in this make and model, 3,270 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 24 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 19840321006879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840321006879A), Mar 21, 1984: Cessna 421C, Joliet, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed hard after flight through icing conditions. Deice equipment worked when tested after crash.

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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