# NTSB CHI97LA109: Cessna 421C, N283PT, Pierre, SD, April 21, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1997, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pierre, SD
- Coordinates: 44.370586, -100.319961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3706&lon=-100.3200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA109

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadvertent activation of the number one throttle/power control.  Factors were: the pilot left the cockpit unattended with the engines running and a wet ramp.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - weather condition - rain
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

While discharging a passenger on a wet ramp with brakes set and both engines running, the pilot went aft to shut the main cabin door.  As the pilot egressed the cockpit, his left foot struck the number one throttle advancing it to takeoff power which caused the airplane to impact a parked vehicle and chain link fence on the ramp.

## Factual narrative

On April 21, 1997, at 1200 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 421C, N283PT, registered to Prostrollo Leasing Company, of Madison, South Dakota, received substantially damaged after impacting a chain link fence and a parked vehicle at Pierre Municipal Airport, Pierre, South Dakota.  The pilot's left foot struck and advanced the number one engine throttle of the running engines, while the pilot went aft to close the cabin door after discharging a passenger.  The airline transport pilot reported no injuries.  The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  An IFR flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Madison, South Dakota, at 1055 cdt.

According to the pilot's written statement, he was discharging a passenger with the engines running on the wet ramp area at Pierre Municipal Airport.  The pilot set the brakes and then needed to go aft and shut the cabin door.  The pilot said "In turning to egress the cockpit, I believe my left foot hit the left throttle #1 eng [engine] went to takeoff power.  I was thrown between the two forward passenger seats on my back stunned the aircraft lunged forward struck a fence turning to the right, the right eng [engine] struck a vehicle parked on the ramp side of the fence."

## Aircraft

- Registration: N283PT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0852
- Airframe hours: 2760
- Engines: Continental GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Prostrollo Leasing Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1996, 42 hours before
- Departed: MDS, MADISON, SD
- Destination: PIR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PIR, Pierre Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 30,000 total, 110 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIR

## 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 19970421015829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970421015829A), Apr 21, 1997: Cessna 421C, Pierre, SD, Substantial damage. (.4)While discharging a passenger on a wet ramp with brakes set and both engines running, the pilot went aft to shut the main cabin door. As the pilot egressed…

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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