# NTSB FTW83LA412: Cessna 421C, N87546, Port Lavaca, TX, September 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1983, 07:45 local (12:45 UTC)
- Place: Port Lavaca, TX
- Coordinates: 28.609872, -96.619079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6099&lon=-96.6191&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21040
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21040/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA412

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND BUSHES DURING TAKEOFF. THE RWY WAS SHELL AND TURF CONSTRUCTION 2300 FT LONG. THE PLT FIGURED THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE FROM A CHART USING DRY HARD SURFACED LEVEL RWY. THE ACCELERATION SEEMED SLOW ACCORDING TO A WITNESS AND THE ACFT LEFT TIRE TRACKS UP TO A POINT ABOUT 10 FT FROM THE DEPARTURE END. AFTER COLLIDING WITH THE FENCEAND TOPS OF BUSHES AND TREES THE ACFT SETTLED INTO THE UNDERGROWTH AND SLID TO A STOP. THE ACFT WEIGHED 6718 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87546](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87546-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 421C0010, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0010
- Airframe hours: 2421
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James C. Freeman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 25, 1983
- Destination: T97, PORT LAVACA, TX
- Airport: 9R4, Tanner, runway 27, 2,300 × 105 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,340 total, 126 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F

## 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 19830902046369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830902046369A), Sep 2, 1983: Cessna 421C, Port Lavaca, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot realized that he had landed at the wrong airport and attempted a go around too late. Struck a fence and trees

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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