# NTSB DEN91LA136: Cessna 421B, N80RS, Pagosa Springs, CO, August 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1991, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Pagosa Springs, CO
- Coordinates: 37.239288, -107.029891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2393&lon=-107.0299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA136

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND.  A FACTOR WAS:  FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO PROPERLY LATCH THE CARGO DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - door,service - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, THE NOSE COMPARTMENT CARGO DOOR CAME OPEN AND THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.  THE AIRCRAFT EXITED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80RS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80RS), registered now, S/N 421B0895, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- 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-0895
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ralph Lowry Aircraft, Inc.
- Registered owner: Ralph Lowry Aircraft, Inc.
- Destination: 1CT, WICHITA, KS
- Airport: 2V1, Stevens Field, runway 19, 5,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,083 total, 278 in this make and model, 10,830 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 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).

- [Accident 19910816044479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910816044479A), Aug 16, 1991: Cessna 421B, Pagosa Springs, CO, Substantial damage. Failed to secure nose baggage door. Came open on takeoff strewing baggage on runway. Aborted and ran off into ditch

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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