# NTSB LAX80FUQ22: Cessna 421A, N3138K, Lancaster, CA, August 17, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: August 17, 1980
- Place: Lancaster, CA · LANCASTER, CA
- Location: 34.6980° N, 118.1367° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lancaster, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6980&lon=-118.1367&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 18, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 128783
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FUQ22
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUQ22

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3737  80/8/17    LANCASTER,CA        CESSNA 421A         CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1312                    N3138K              PX-  0  0  5  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  26, 2050 TOTAL HOURS, 15
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GEN WILLIAM J FOX
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          BEND,OR                     VAN NUYS,CA                  LANCASTER,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
           COLLIDED WITH: WIRES/POLES                               LANDING: FINAL APPROACH
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FAILURE OF TWO OR MORE ENGINES
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-2 ENGINES
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- R AUX TANK FULL,HAD BEEN CAPPED & RENDERED INOPERABLE.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3138K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3138K-2023-08-05), registration cancelled 2023-08-05, S/N 421-0115, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Gen William J Fox

## 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 19800817036649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800817036649A), Aug 17, 1980: Cessna 421A, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Engines quit on final approach for landing. Fuel selectors on empty tanks.

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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