# NTSB GAA18CA390: Cessna 421, N7625Q, Clifton, TX, July 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2018, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Clifton, TX - Coordinates: 31.817222, -97.569442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8172&lon=-97.5694&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97664 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA390 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97664/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97664 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA390 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during short final, while approaching the runway threshold, he reduced the engine power to maintain glideslope, added full flaps, and applied a little left rudder to maintain the runway heading. Subsequently, the airplane sank and landed hard, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both engine mounts, the right wing, tail, and rudder. The pilot also reported that, before the approach, an air traffic controller advised him that the wind at the destination airport was from 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The airport’s automated weather observation station reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 14 knots. The airplane landed on runway 14. The Airport Facility Directory advised, "Steep drop off north of runway 14." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during short final, while approaching the runway threshold, he reduced the engine power to maintain glideslope, added full flaps, and applied a little left rudder to maintain runway heading. Subsequently, the airplane sank, and landed hard collapsing the nose landing gear. He further reported that prior to the approach, he was advised by air traffic control that the wind at the destination airport was 190° at 14 knots, gusting to 18 knots. The automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 10 minutes after the accident, the wind was from 200° at 14 knots. The airplane landed on runway 14. The Airport Facility Directory advised "Steep drop off north of runway 14." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both engine mounts, right wing, tail and rudder. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7625Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7625Q-2019-07-23), registration cancelled 2019-07-23, S/N 421B0364, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 421 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0364 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 10949.1 - Engines: Cont Motor GTSIO-520-H1 375 horsepower reciprocating; Cont Motor GTSIO-520-h2 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 2017 - Departed: RBD, Dallas, TX - Destination: 7F7, Clifton, TX - Airport: 7F7, Clifton Muni/Isenhower Field, runway 14, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,116 total, 1,530 in this make and model, 2,033 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 14.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 14 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KACT, 21 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 20180701008979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180701008979A), Jul 1, 2018: Cessna 421B, Clifton, TX, Substantial damage. On July 1, 2018 at approximately 1040 CDT, a Cessna 421B, N7625Q, [privacy data omitted] had an accident at Clifton municipal airport/isenhower field (7F7).… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 27, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97664. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470631&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470633&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 3 photos, 243 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470632&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.