# NTSB FTW85FA019: Cessna 421C, N121BT, Addison, TX, October 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1984, 14:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Addison, TX
- Coordinates: 32.960655, -96.830177 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9607&lon=-96.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - performed
  - initiated
  - precautionary landing - initiated
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - building(nonresidential)
  - object - utility pole
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

APRX 7 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF (AT 1441), THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID THE L ENG HAD LOST POWER. HE FEATHERED THE ENG,DIVERTED BACK TWD THE ARPT & DSCNDD TO VFR CONDS BELOW THE CLDS. AT 1448, THE PLT SAID HE HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT & TURNEDONTO A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RWY 15. RPRTDLY, HE EXTENDED THE LNDG GEAR & BGN A LEFT TURN TWD THE RWY. RPRDLY, THE ACFT WAS TOO CLOSE IN &/OR THE PLT CHOSE TO MAKE A RGT TURN AWAY FM THE ARPT TO LAND. WITNESSES LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT DRG THE TURN DUE TO LOW CLDS OR OBSTNS. THE PLT LOST SIGHT OF THE ARPT FOR A SHORT TIME, THEN RELOCATED IT, BUT SAID HE HAD HIS 'HANDS FULL.'  SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT, HIT THE EDGE (ROOF) OF A BLDG, CRASHED INTO A UTILITYPOLE & THE GROUND & BURNED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ACFT WAS INVERTED JUST BEFORE IMPACT. AN EXAM OF THE L ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE THE #6 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED FM OIL EXHAUSTION.ONLY 1 CUP OF OIL WAS FND IN THE ENG & IT HAD A HISTORY OF HI OIL CONSUMPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121BT-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N 421C0806, built 1979 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (registry code 17039, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0806
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Continental Martgage Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Destination: APF, NAPLES, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ADS, Dallas Addison, runway 15, 7,199 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,620 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADS, 1 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 19841018056419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841018056419A), Oct 18, 1984: Cessna 421C, Addison, TX, Destroyed. Left engine quit, connecting rod bearing flanges failed with landing gear down, unable to hold alt, hit a building.

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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