# NTSB ERA16LA171: Cessna 421, N3372Q, Foley, AL, April 26, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 2016, 14:24 local (19:24 UTC) - Place: Foley, AL - Coordinates: 30.416389, -87.700279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4164&lon=-87.7003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93076 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA171 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93076/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93076 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA171 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to obtain proper takeoff speed before breaking ground, which resulted in the airplane’s failure to gain altitude and a collision with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot of the twin-engine airplane departed on the personal flight. During the takeoff roll, all indications were normal. When the airplane accelerated to between 75 and 80 knots, the pilot pulled back on the yoke slowly, and the airplane began to climb. After he raised the landing gear, the pilot noticed that the airplane was not continuing to climb and that the airspeed was 80 knots; he then heard the stall warning horn. The airplane impacted trees about 1/4 mile from the runway, caught fire, and was destroyed; the pilot egressed with minor injuries. The airplane's published minimum control speed was 86 knots and the break ground and climb speed was 106 knots. Given that information, it is likely that the pilot's attempt to rotate and climb the airplane below 80 knots resulted in the airplane being unable to gain altitude and climb above trees at the end of the runway. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2016, at 1424 central daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N3372Q, was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain in Foley, Alabama. The private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the flight from Foley Municipal Airport (5R4), Foley, Alabama, to West Georgia Regional Airport (CTJ), Carrollton, Georgia. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. During a postaccident interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot recounted that he taxied out and lined up for takeoff on the runway. With brakes on, he cycled the propellers and they "checked good." The magneto check at 1,500 rpm was also "good," as were the oil pressure and oil temperature. The pilot then ensured that the fuel selectors were position to both main fuel tanks, the throttles were full, mixtures were all the way forward, the fuel boost pumps were on low, and the propellers were all the way forward. He selected the flaps to the takeoff position and released the brakes. During the takeoff roll, everything was "normal" (temperatures and pressures were "in the green"), and when the airplane had accelerated to 75-80 knots, the pilot pulled back on the yoke slowly, and the airplane began to climb. The pilot raised the landing gear and noticed that the airplane wasn't climbing. He looked at the airspeed indicator, which indicated 80 knots. The pilot heard the stall warning and pulled back on the yoke. He then shut the boost pumps off and lowered the flaps before a hard impact. After impact, the pilot found himself upside down. He released his seat belt, saw fire and went to the back of the airplane. He opened the aft hatch and rolled forward, landing flat on his back. Two men then helped him up and led him to a nearby building. When asked about the performance of the airplane's engines the pilot stated, "the engines were operating fine and I screwed up." Review of the normal takeoff checklist for the airplane revealed that the minimum control speed was 86 knots, and the break ground and climb out speed was 106 knots. A witness stated that during the takeoff from runway 18, the airplane left the ground at the departure runway end, just clearing the airport's perimeter fence. The airplane was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees less than ¼ of a mile south of the runway. The airplane began hitting tree tops, and impacted a large oak tree with the left wing, then spun into two other large oak trees 30 feet to the southwest. The airplane then flipped over, hit the ground, exploded and was consumed by fire. The pilot jumped from the rear entry door and landed on his back. The pilot refused medical attention and sustained burns and a cut to his left hand. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3372Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3372Q-2019-01-31), registration cancelled 2019-01-31, S/N 421B0256, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 421 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSI0-520-F-K](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsi0-520-f-k) (registry code 17031, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0256 - Year built: 1972 - Engines: CONT MOTOR GTSI0-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR GTSI0-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 5R4, Foley, AL - Destination: CTJ, Carrollton, GA - Airport: 5R4, Foley Municipal Airport, runway 18, 3,700 × 74 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,450 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: JKA, 8 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 20160426004459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160426004459A), Apr 26, 2016: Cessna 421B, Foley, AL, Destroyed. On April 26, 216 at approximately 1420 hours local a Cessna 421B taxied to the runway to depart on a personal trip to west Georgia regional airport in mount… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93076. 988 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479309&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 413 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479310&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 3, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479311&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Flight Manual Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480910&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Manual%20Excerpt-Master.PDF 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.