# NTSB LAX73AL034: Cessna 421, N42J, Palm Sprngs, CA, January 16, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 16, 1973
- Place: Palm Sprngs, CA · PALM SPRNGS, CA
- Location: 33.8303° N, 116.5453° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm Springs, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8303&lon=-116.5453&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 169566
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX73AL034
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73AL034

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0039  73/1/16  NR.PALM SPRNGS,CALIF  CESSNA 421          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1604                    N42J                PX-  2  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 37, 2190 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            UNK/NR IN TYPE,
                                                                                                   INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PHOENIX,ARIZ                PALM SPRINGS,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: DESCENDING
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IFR OPERATION
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- RCVRD 1/17/73.PLT CONDUCTED IMPROPER OR NON-STANDARD IFR APCH PROC.CAUSE UNKN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42J-1973-06-26), registration cancelled 1973-06-26, S/N 421-0185, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19730116003019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19730116003019A), Jan 16, 1973: Cessna 421, Palm Sprngs, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Rcvrd 1/17/73.plt conducted improper or non-standard IFR apch proc. Cause unkn.

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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