# NTSB FTW79IA103: Cessna 421B, N421HC, Friendswood, TX, August 30, 1979

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 30, 1979
- Place: Friendswood, TX · FRIENDSWOOD, TX
- Location: 29.5077° N, 95.2006° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Friendswood, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5077&lon=-95.2006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 18, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 133861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW79IA103
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79IA103

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-0019  79/8/30    FRIENDSWOOD,TX      CESSNA 421B         CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1700                    N421HC              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  24, 3400 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-MINOR        OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        CLASSIFIED AS INCIDENT
        NAME OF AIRPORT - CLOVER FIELD
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FRIENDSWOOD,TX              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           FIRE OR EXPLOSION: IN FLIGHT                             TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: IMPROPER MAINTENANCE (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: SEALS AND GASKETS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - WRONG PART
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - LEAK/LEAKAGE
        REMARKS- WASHERS USED AS SPACERS BETWEEN ENG & OIL COOLER WERE 5/16IN,CORRECT SPACERS ARE SHIMS .010IN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N421HC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421HC-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 421B-0116, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Airport: Clover Field

## 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 19790830033379I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790830033379I), Aug 30, 1979: Cessna 421B, Friendswood, TX, Minor damage. Experienced engine fire on takeoff, landed safely. Found improperly installed oil cooler leaking on exhaust.

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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