# NTSB LAX83LA259: Cessna 421B, N315CC, Buckeye, AZ, May 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1983, 20:00 local (May 7, 1983, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.37947, -112.550422 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3795&lon=-112.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA259
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA259

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not understood, ground personnel
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD MADE 3 NIGHT LANDINGS AT THE STRIP DURING THE PAST 6 MTHS. THE PROCEDURE THAT HAD BEEN USED FOR LIGHTING THESTRIP WAS TO PLACE A VEHICLE AT THE WEST END WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FACING EAST DOWN THE CENTERLINE OF THE STRIP. HOWEVER, ON THE NIGHT OF THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE EAST END OF THE STRIP WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FACING EAST OUT INA FIELD. WHEN APPROACHING FROM THE EAST, THE STRIP IS THE LAST IN A SERIES OF 3 SIMILARLY LOOKING FIELDS. WHEN THE PLT THOUGHT HE WAS AT THE NORMAL DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHTS, HE REDUCED POWER AND LANDED SHORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N315CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N315CC-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 421B0810 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- 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: 421B 0810
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harquahala Valley Orchards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1983, 30 hours before
- Departed: GYR, GOODYEAR, AZ
- Airport: Harquahala Strip, runway 25, 5,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,346 total, 284 in this make and model, 110 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PHX, 50 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 19830506025439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830506025439A), May 6, 1983: Cessna 421B, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting night landing on unlighted strip. Carlights directed wrong way, aircraft landed short.

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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