# NTSB FTW83FA416: Cessna 421C, N111FN, Altus, OK, September 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1983, 16:07 local (21:07 UTC)
- Place: Altus, OK
- Coordinates: 34.640499, -99.309661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6405&lon=-99.3097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 8 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA416
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA416

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT INITIATED A TAKEOFF ON A HOT AFTERNOON WITH 7 PASSENGERS ON BOARD. SHORTLY AFTER LEFT-OFF, 2 WITNESSES OBSERVED WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS A PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE FROM THE RIGHT ENG. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT RURNED TO THE LEFT BEFORE CROSSING THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY AT LOW ALTITUDE & LOW SPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT ROLLED RAPIDLY TO THE LEFT & IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEAR FLAT ATTITUDE, WITH A HIGH RATE OF SINK, AND SUFFICIENT FORWARD VELOCITY TO SLIDE OR BOUNCE ABOUT 70 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST & BURNING. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE, INCLUDING TEARDOWNS OF BOTH ENGS, REVEALED NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 80 LBS BELOW ITS MAX DESIGN GROSS WT. ITS CENTER OF GRAVITY WAS COMPUTED TO BE 1.45 INCHES AFT OF ITS REAR LIMIT. THE TEMP WAS 101 DEG & THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 4000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N111FN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C 0321
- Airframe hours: 1505
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO 520L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Osage Aviation Services Inc.
- Registered owner: First Bankshares Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 18, 1983, 63 hours before
- Destination: BVO, BARTLESVILLE, OK
- Airport: AXS, Altus, runway 17, 5,000 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,620 total, 269 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: LTS, 8 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 19830904045689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830904045689A), Sep 4, 1983: Cessna 421C, Altus, OK, Destroyed, 7 fatal. Aircraft rolled inverted and crashed shortly after takeoff. Indications of right engine failure, no evidence.

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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