# NTSB FTW90LA154: Cessna 421B, N469RJ, El Paso, TX, August 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1990, 11:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Location: 31.8073° N, 106.3764° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EL PASO INTL (ELP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8073&lon=-106.3764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA154

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER SINGLE ENGINE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - 1 engine (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - not engaged
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO TOUCHDOWN WHEN HE LOOKED DOWN AND DID NOT SEE THE GEAR DOWN LIGHTS. HE SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER ON BOTH ENGINES FOR A GO-AROUND BUT THE RIGHT ENGINE DID NOT COME UP TO POWER, AND THE AIRPLANE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. HE RAISED THE FLAPS BUT DID NOT RAISE THE GEAR HANDLE. THE GEAR WAS DOWN AND LOCKED. THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS NOT FEATHERED. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN. AT A LATER TIME, BOTH ENGINES WERE OPERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 70% POWER, AND NO HIGHER DUE TO THE LACK OF SUITABLE PROPELLERS. NO REASON COULD BE FOUND FOR THE LOSS OF POWER ON THE RIGHT ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N469RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N469RJ-1993-10-13), registration cancelled 1993-10-13, S/N 421B0444 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0444
- Airframe hours: 1508
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Nelson, Walter
- Registered owner: Kershner, Pat
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1990
- Departed: TDW, AMARILLO, TX
- Airport: ELP, International, runway 22, 11,012 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,714 total, 1,714 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP

## 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 19900808042949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900808042949A), Aug 8, 1990: Cessna 421B, El Paso, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot not sure gear down,began go around. Swerved right due uneven power. Aborted,hit bank,severed gear. No defects.

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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