# NTSB FTW82DA080: Cessna 421B, N100CA, Eunice, LA, February 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1982, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Eunice, LA
- Coordinates: 30.489923, -92.409851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4899&lon=-92.4099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA080

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING A LANDING. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK A DITCH. THE RIGHT MAIN AND NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AFTER STRIKING THE DITCH. AN EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT GEAR REVEALED THAT A BOLT IN THE LEFT BELLCRANK ASSEMBLY, PN 5041001-5, HAD SHEARED. ALSO, ONE EAR OF THE LOWER CLEVIS ON THE BELLCRANK HAD BROKEN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE FRACTURE CHARACTERISTICS WERE INDICATIVE OF AN OVERSTRESS SEPARATION. RESEARCH OF THE CESSNA 421B LANDING GEAR SYSTEM REVEALED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE COULD OCCUR IF THE LANDING GEAR MECHANISM IS IMPROPERLY RIGGED. HOWEVER, NO DETERMINATION WAS MADE CONCERNING THE ADEQUACY OF THE AIRCRAFT INSPECTIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal retraction/extension assembly - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100CA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N100CA), registered now, S/N 18266536, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0503
- Airframe hours: 1535
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Performance Air Charter
- Registered owner: Victor D. Poor
- Departed: ABBEVILLE, LA
- Destination: EUNICE, LA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 4R7, Eunice Airport, runway 34, 5,000 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,215 total, 85 in this make and model, 6,010 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft overcast
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Observed at: LFT, 15 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 19820225001939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820225001939A), Feb 25, 1982: Cessna 421B, Eunice, LA, Substantial damage. Gear collapsed, aircraft veered off runway and hit ditch collapsing nose and right main. P/n 5041018-1.

## Other investigations on N100CA (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CHI92LA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA006), Oct 10, 1991: Cessna 421B (N100CA), Battle Creek, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR'S DOWNLOCK LINK ASSEMBLY.
- [NTSB MIA82DA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA137), Jun 19, 1982: Cessna 421B (N100CA), Clearwater, FL, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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