# NTSB DEN91IA047: Cessna 421C, N125KS, Fort Morgan, CO, February 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1991, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Fort Morgan, CO
- Coordinates: 39.939872, -105.059387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9399&lon=-105.0594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18042
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91IA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18042/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91IA047

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT COMPARTMENT  WINDSHIELD (COPILOT'S SIDE) FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Analysis

DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT FLIGHT LEVEL 190, THE COPILOT'S WINDSHIELD FAILED CAUSING RAPID DECOMPRESSION.  THE CAPTAIN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT INCIDENT.  PORTIONS OF THE REMAINING WINDSHIELD WERE ANALYZED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD BE DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Decompression, cruise - normal
  - fuselage,crew compartment - decompression
- Miscellaneous/other, descent - emergency

## Aircraft

- Registration: N125KS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C-0899
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSID-520-LB 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kansas State University
- Registered owner: Kansas State University
- Departed: FNL, FORT COLLINS, CO
- Destination: MHK, MANHATTAN, KS
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,030 total, 870 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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).

- [Incident 19910225017719I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910225017719I), Feb 25, 1991: Cessna 421C, Denver, CO, Minor damage. Co-pilots windshield failed at cruise altitude. Declared emergency and landed at Jeffco Airport.

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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