# NTSB CHI86FA079: Cessna 421C, N68653, Birmingham, MI, January 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 29, 1986, 13:14 local (18:14 UTC)
- Place: Birmingham, MI
- Coordinates: 42.540435, -83.210029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5404&lon=-83.2100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

AT ROTATION THE RIGHT ENG FAILED. THE ACFT ENTERED A SKIDDING TURN TO THE RT AND CONTINUED TO CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. DURING THE TURN 110 DEG FROM T.O. HEADING ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED INTO A CAR PORT. EXTENSIVE POST IMPACT FIRE DESTROYED ACFT, CAR PORT AND THREE VEHICLES. GEAR WAS NOT RETRACTED AND PROP WAS NOT FEATHERED. DURING POST ACCIDENT EXAM OF THE RT ENG EXTENSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68653](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68653-1989-04-13), registration cancelled 1989-04-13, S/N 421C1070 (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: 421C1070
- Airframe hours: 1275
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTS10-520N 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Cabe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1985, 350 hours before
- Departed: 7D2, TROY, MI
- Destination: LAN, LANSING, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 27, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 11 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 19860129001679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860129001679A), Jan 29, 1986: Cessna 421C, Birmingham, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The right engine failed on takeoff due to improperly installed counterweights. The pilot failed to maintain VMC.

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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