# NTSB FTW80FA024: Cessna 421B, N5428J, Locust Grove, AR, December 21, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: December 21, 1979
- Place: Locust Grove, AR · LOCUST GROVE, AR
- Location: 35.7209° N, 91.7385° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Locust Grove, AR, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7209&lon=-91.7385&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 14, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 132660
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW80FA024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80FA024

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3366  79/12/21 NR.LOCUST GROVE,AR    CESSNA 421B         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 0930                    N5428J              PX-  3  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 37, 6169 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            885 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LITTLE ROCK,AR             LOCUST GROVE,AR
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRPORTS/AIRWAYS/FACILITIES - AIRWAYS FACILITIES: OTHER
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - POORLY PLANNED APPROACH
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY RADIO
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               0
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       53
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       10
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      IFR
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- NDB & COMPASS LOCATOR FOR SDF INOP.CRASHED APRX 1000FT ABV ARPT ELEV & 6MI OUT ON SDF LOC CRSLN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5428J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5428J-1980-08-05), registration cancelled 1980-08-05, S/N 421B0887 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Batesville Region

## 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 19791221041909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19791221041909A), Dec 21, 1979: Cessna 421B, Locust Grove, AR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft hit trees after reporting outbound on adf approach. Pilot had been advised NDB beacon out of service.

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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