# NTSB DEN87FA162: Cessna 421C, N26553, Cody, WY, June 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1987, 00:00 local (06:00 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.509246, -109.049629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5092&lon=-109.0496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA162

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT & 3 PAXS WERE RETURNING TO DALLAS, TX FROM A RETREAT IN MONTANA. THE PLT FILED AN IFR FLT PLAN FROM WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, MT, TO CASPER, WY, BUT DID NOT ACTIVATE IT AFTER DEPARTURE. THE ACFT WAS RPRTD OVERDUE BY FAMILY & A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED BY THE CIVIL AIR PATROL ON 7/1/87. THE ACFT HAD CRASHED AT THE 10,000' LVL OF A BOX CANYON AREA IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE IMPACT AREA WAS ON A ROLLING MEADOW THAT WAS SURROUNDED ON THREE SIDES BY MOUNTAINS. ENTRANCE TO THE AREA WAS FROM THE NNE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A LEFT WING LOW, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, AFTER TURNING TO A HDG OF ABOUT 050 DEG. BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT HAD ADDED 35 GAL OF FUEL (MIXTURE OF 80 & 100 OCTANE FUEL) FOR AN ESTIMATED FUEL LOAD OF 213 GAL. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF A PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. APPROX 27 MI SSE OF CODY, WY, THE WX WAS IN PART: 18,000' SCATTERED, 25,000' OVERCAST, 30 MI VIS. THE ELEV AT CODY WAS ABOUT 5,000' LOWER THAN THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26553](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26553-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 421C0707 (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: 421C0707
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hugo Schoellkopf
- Registered owner: C & C Aircraft Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7S6, WHT SULPHR SPRG, MT
- Destination: CASPER, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,665 total, 315 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: COD, 27 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 19870628080579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870628080579A), Jun 28, 1987: Cessna 421C, Cody, WY, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Flew into ground at high speed in a canyon on a mountainside. May have had insufficient terrain clearance.

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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