# NTSB DEN89FA034: Cessna 421, N222BL, Tooele, UT, November 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 16, 1988, 01:10 local (08:10 UTC)
- Place: Tooele, UT
- Location: 40.5394° N, 112.3078° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tooele, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5394&lon=-112.3078&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222BL-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 421B0824, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B-0824
- Airframe hours: 2774
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arjay Medical, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1988, 24 hours before
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; airline transport; 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: 6,375 total, 70 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLC, 30 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 19881116050689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881116050689A), Nov 16, 1988: Cessna 421, Tooele, UT, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a cloud obscured mountain en route at night, VFR. Pilot was unfamiliar with aircraft and area.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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