# NTSB ERA21LA152: Cessna 421, N80056, Franklin, NC, March 12, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 11, 2021, 19:53 local (Mar 12, 2021, 00:53 UTC) - Place: Franklin, NC - Coordinates: 35.222312, -83.419997 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2223&lon=-83.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Greensboro FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102748/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102748 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA152 ## Probable cause The reason for this accident could not be determined based on the available information. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll from the 5,000-ft-long runway, after reaching an airspeed of 90 knots, the airplane’s acceleration slowed. The airplane reached a maximum airspeed of about 92 knots, which was below the planned rotation speed of 100 knots. The pilot elected to abort the takeoff with about 1,500 ft of remaining runway. He reduced the power to idle and initiated maximum braking. The pilot stated that he did not sense the airplane slowing down but observed tire marks on the runway postaccident that were consistent with braking. The airplane continued off the end of the runway and collided with a fence before coming to a stop. All of the occupants exited the airplane safely, and a post-crash fire ensued. Examination of the runway revealed tire skid marks that began 1,200 ft from the runway end and continued into the grass leading to the airplane. An examination of the airplane revealed that the entire cockpit and cabin areas were destroyed by fire. The engines did not display evidence of a catastrophic failure but were otherwise unable to be examined in more detail due to the degree of fire damage. The parking brake control was found in the off position. All hydraulic brake lines were destroyed by fire, and the main landing gear sustained fire and impact damage. Although the tire marks on the runway indicated that some braking action took place, the extensive fire damage precluded a detailed examination of the braking system, and there was insufficient evidence to determine the reason for the runway excursion. ## Factual narrative On March 11, 2021, about 1512 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N80056, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Macon County Airport (1A5), Franklin, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, after a normal start, taxi, and run-up, he initiated the takeoff roll from the 5,000-ft-long, asphalt runway. He called out airspeeds in 10-knot increments toward a planned rotation airspeed of 100 knots; however, at 90 knots, the airplane’s acceleration “lagged,” and the airplane reached a maximum airspeed of 92 knots. He noticed that the runway length was decreasing and elected to abort the takeoff with about 1,500 ft of remaining runway. He pulled both throttles to idle and applied maximum braking. The pilot stated that he did not sense the airplane slowing down but observed tire marks on the runway postaccident that were consistent with braking. The airplane departed the end of the runway, continued down a slope, and through a fence before coming to rest. A postcrash fire ensued. All the occupants exited the airplane safely. Examination of the runway by a Federal Aviation Administrator inspector revealed tire skid marks that began 1,200 ft from the runway end and continued into the grass leading to the airplane. An examination of the airplane by an NTSB investigator revealed the entire cockpit and cabin areas were destroyed by fire. All flight instrument readings and control positions were unreliable due to fire damage. The parking brake control was found in the off position. All hydraulic brake lines were destroyed by fire, and the main landing gear sustained fire and impact damage. Examination of the left and right engines revealed that both were heavily fire damaged but that the engine cases remained intact and were not breached. Power and valvetrain continuity could not be established due to impact and fire damage. The accessories on both engines were also fire damaged. Both propeller assemblies remained attached to the propeller hubs on both engines but exhibited fire and impact-related damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N80056](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80056-2021-10-07), registration cancelled 2021-10-07, S/N 421B-0654 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 421 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B-0654 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 3406 - Engines: Continental GTSSIO520H 375 horsepower reciprocating; Continental GTSSIO520H 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Duotech Services Inc. - Registered owner: Duotech Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 4, 2001 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: 1A5, Macon County, runway 07/25, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 7 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: K1A5 - METAR: K1A5 120055Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 14/05 A3038 RMK AO2 T01440052 ## 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 20210311014999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210311014999A), Mar 11, 2021: Cessna 421B, Franklin, NC, Substantial damage. On March 11, 2021, approximately 1953 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, N80056, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the macon… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 1, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102748. 166 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12430465&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20LA152_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - FAA correspondence (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15109635&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFR%20FAA%20Assessment%20LA152-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15070727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AIRFRAME%20AND%20ENGINE%20EXAMINATION%20LA152-Rel.pdf - Maintenance logbook excerpts (item 4, PDF, 15 pages, 156 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15071667&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LA152%20logbook%20excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 8.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12420898&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA152-Rel.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.