# NTSB ERA26LA183: Cessna 421, Richmond, VA, April 18, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: April 18, 2026, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Richmond, VA · Richmond International Airport RWY 16
- Coordinates: 37.51463, -77.322265 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5146&lon=-77.3223&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA183
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA183

## Preliminary report

On April 18, 2026, about 1410 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421C, C-GTGR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Richmond, Virginia. The pilot and four passengers were uninjured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 business flight. The pilot reported that they were departing from the Richmond International Airport (RIC), Richmond, Virginia. After advancing the throttles to full power for takeoff, he noted an asymmetric power condition, which required left rudder input to maintain the runway’s centerline. As the ground speed increased, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot reduced both throttles to idle; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, and the left wing struck an airport sign, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot subsequently taxied to the ramp, secured the airplane, and all occupants deplaned without injury. Data was successfully downloaded from the airplane’s engine monitor and forwarded to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for further examination. The airframe and engines were retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: C-GTGR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421 (C)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0061
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 7016.9
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Manufactures Transport Inc.
- Registered owner: Manufactures Transport Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2025, 4 hours before
- Destination: CYKF, Waterloo Wellington, OF
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: RIC, Richmond Intl, runway 16, 9,003 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather, Stall warning system

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: RIC
- METAR: METAR KRIC 181754Z 21009KT 10SM SCT070 BKN250 31/09 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP134 T03110089 10311 20172 58014 $=

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.