# NTSB DEN85FA125: Cessna 421C, N8343G, Las Vegas, NM, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 11:48 local (17:48 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NM
- Coordinates: 35.589355, -105.2191 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5894&lon=-105.2191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA125

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A PASTURE ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT AFTER THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEN 'BEHIND THE POWER CURVE' AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE USED FULL POWER FOR TAKEOFF BUT THE TAKEOFF WAS LONGER THAN NORMAL. THE DA WAS COMPUTED TO BE 9286 FT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT SAID HE RAISED THE LNDG GEAR BUT A WITNESS DISAGREED. THE FLT THEN REDUCED PWR AND AS RPM WAS REDUCED, NOTED THAT THE MP WAS ONLY 24 IN. THE ACFT BEGAN A DESCENT WHICH THE PLT SAID COULD NOT BE STOPPED WITH POWER SO HE LANDED GEAR DOWN IN A PASTURE. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH 2 DITCHES AND A FENCE DURING THE 1500 FT ROLL. THE ENGS WERE FOUND TO OPERATE NORMALLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8343G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8343G-1988-11-30), registration cancelled 1988-11-30, S/N 421C0307 (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: 4210307
- Airframe hours: 2690
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1984, 89 hours before
- Destination: EMT, EL MONTE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,230 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVS, 1 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 19850505018339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505018339A), May 5, 1985: Cessna 421C, Las Vegas, NM, Substantial damage. After no flap takeoff near gross weight pilot could not maintain flight. Jet a and water in fuel. Landed in field.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.