# NTSB FTW93LA254: Cessna 421B, N747BW, Oak Grove, LA, September 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1993, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Oak Grove, LA
- Coordinates: 32.859817, -91.390602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8598&lon=-91.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18827
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18827/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA254

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS WERE A FENCE AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE FAILED, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AS HE LOST CONTROL. THE AIRPLANE SLID INTO A FENCE ROW AND STRUCK A TREE. ACCORDING TO A FAA INSPECTOR, 'SKID MARKS AT THE SCENE INDICATED THAT THE LEFT BRAKE WAS WORKING PROPERLY.' THE INSPECTOR FURTHER STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Factual narrative

On September 6, 1993, at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 421B airplane, N747BW, sustained substantial damage near Oak Grove, Louisiana, during the landing roll.  The commercial pilot was seriously injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight.

During an interview conducted by the investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that the left brake failed to operate and he lost control of the airplane.  He further stated that the airplane veered to the right, departed the runway, and struck a fence and trees.

Examination of the airplane by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector indicated that the condition of the brake system could not be determined due to impact damage.  The airplane forward baggage compartment and cockpit panel was crushed into the cabin area.  According to the inspector, "skid marks at the scene indicated that the left brake was working properly."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N747BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N747BW-1994-10-21), registration cancelled 1994-10-21, S/N 421B0303 (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: 421B0303
- Airframe hours: 5727
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTIS0-520-H 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pelican State Charter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, June 17, 1993, 10 hours before
- Departed: GLH, GREENVILLE, MS
- Airport: 9M6, Kelly, runway 36, 2,750 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,337 total, 515 in this make and model, 3,225 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLU, 90 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 19930906033109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930906033109A), Sep 6, 1993: Cessna 421B, Oak Grove, LA, Substantial damage. Reported left brake failed landing. Lost control. Swerved into fence and trees. Skid marks show left brake working.

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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