# NTSB DEN83FA193: Cessna 421A, N2239Q, West Jordan, UT, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 08:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: West Jordan, UT
- Coordinates: 40.619171, -111.979011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6192&lon=-111.9790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15998
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FA193
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15998/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FA193

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise

## Analysis

INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT ABORTED TWO TAKEOFF ATTEMPTS DUE TO A 'ROUGHNESS' IN ONE ENG. NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ROUGHNESS DURING SUBSEQUENT GROUND CHECKS, THE PLT DEPARTED. AT AN ALT OF 300 AGL THE LEFT ENG BEGAN TO SURGE AND THE RIGHT ENG, ACCORDING TO THE PLT, 'SEEMED TO BE DELIVERING NO POWER EITHER AND I COULD FEEL THE PLANE DECELERATING.' THE PLT STATED HE TURNED THE ACFT TO MISS A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND THE ACFT DOVE INTO THE GROUND AT ABOUT 45 DEG ANGLE. INVESTIGATION FAILED TO REVEAL ANY REASON FOR LOSS OF ENG POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2239Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2239Q-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N 421A0039, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Registry model: [Cessna 421A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421a) (registry code 2076012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421A0039
- Airframe hours: 4180
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-540-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ralph Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1983
- Destination: U77, SPANISH FORK, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,156 total, 132 in this make and model, 3,996 as pilot in command, 114 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F

## 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 19830820074379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820074379A), Aug 20, 1983: Cessna 421A, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crash occurred after lift off on third attempt to make flight. Witness stated engines were surging.

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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