# NTSB FTW85LA080: Cessna 421C, N6865D, Vancourt, TX, December 17, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 17, 1984, 01:03 local (07:03 UTC)
- Place: Vancourt, TX
- Coordinates: 31.340923, -100.170066 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3409&lon=-100.1701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA080

## Analysis

AFTER A COMPLETE WX BRF THE PLT DEPARTED INTO KNOWN IFR COND WELL BELOW APCH MIN AT THE DEST ARPT WITH INADEQUATE FUEL RESERVES AND NO FIELD ALTERNATE. AFTER 2 MISSED APCHS THE PLTS DESIRED ALTERNATE WAS BELOW MINIMUMS. EN ROUTE TO A SECOND ALTERNATE AIRPORT A DOUBLE ENG PWR LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS EXPERIENCED. A GEAR UP FORCED LANDING TO A HIGHWAY WAS PERFORMED AFTER ATC PERSONNEL ASSISTED THE PLT IN ESTABLISHING VISUAL CONTACT WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6865D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6865D-1988-10-13), registration cancelled 1988-10-13, S/N 421C1062 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1062
- Airframe hours: 569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-N 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: L.L. Sams & Sons Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1984, 65 hours before
- Departed: F60, MCGREGOR, TX
- Destination: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 6, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,559 total, 211 in this make and model, 6,514 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 16 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 19841217077049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841217077049A), Dec 17, 1984: Cessna 421C, Vancourt, TX, Substantial damage. Out of fuel in 2 hours. Pilot filed 3 hours endurance. Landed gear up on a highway enroute to alternate airport.

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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