# NTSB LAX87FA306: Cessna 421C, N26596, Clifton, AZ, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 15:14 local (22:14 UTC)
- Place: Clifton, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.269733, -109.270599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2697&lon=-109.2706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25421
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25421/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA306

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,oil - fire
  - lubricating system,oil line - fractured (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPTD RY 25 AT GREENLEE CTY ARPT, CLIFTON, AZ ON A VFR FLT TO PHOENIX, AZ. THE PLT & GND WITNESSES RPTD THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, GRAYISH/WHITE SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE LEFT ENGINE. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO FEATHER THE PROP, CIRCLED THE ARPT ABT 2 TIMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND LANDED BETWEEN THE RUNWAYS. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION DSCLSD THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER. THE TURBOCHARGER OIL LINE HOUSING WAS FOUND FRACTURED. THE HOUSING WAS MISSING WHEN THE ENGINES WERE SHIPPED TO TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS (TCM). THE ENGINE CRATES WERE OPENED BEFORE SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS ARRIVED AT TCM TO CONDUCT THE ENGINE EXAMINATION. THE LEFT ENGINE EXAM DISCLSD EXTERNAL HIGH TEMP DISTRESS AND MINOR DETONATION SIGNATURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26596](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26596-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 421C1208, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (registry code 17039, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C1208
- Airframe hours: 1611
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ops Leasing Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1986, 226 hours before
- Destination: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: CFT, Greenlee County, runway 25, 4,985 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,002 total, 2,436 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 7 °F

## 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 19870816045579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816045579A), Aug 16, 1987: Cessna 421C, Clifton/Morenci, AZ, Destroyed. Engine fire on climbout. Prop control seized. Crashed and burned off airport.

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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