# NTSB LAX89FA030: Cessna 421A, N3385Q, Cabazon, CA, November 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 1, 1988, 16:13 local (Nov 2, 1988, 00:13 UTC)
- Place: Cabazon, CA
- Coordinates: 33.929191, -116.770545 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9292&lon=-116.7705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26188
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26188/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR DECISION AND MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE. THE SEPARATION OF THE CYLINDER, FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER TO FEATHER, AND IMPACT WITH WIRES AND A RESIDENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,cylinder - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - separation (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PLT CONTACTED THE ARSA CONTROLLER FOR ADVISORIES AFTER LOSING PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG OVER AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HIS POSITION WAS NEAR A CIVILIAN ARPT WITH LIMITED MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE PLT ADVISED THAT HE DESIRED TO CONTINUE TO A LARGER CIVILIAN ARPT ALONG HIS ROUTE WHERE HE COULD OBTAIN SERVICE. THE PLT THEN INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE COULD BARLEY SEE THE GROUND AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT DUE TO THE PROPELLER NOT FEATHERING. THE ACFT OVERFLEW A SMALL CIVILIAN ARPT AND THE PLT TOLD THE UNICOM OPERATOR THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. THE ACFT OVERFLEW THE HWY AND IMPACTED AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT ENG #3 CYLINDER HEAD FRACTURED ALLOWING THE HEAD TO DISPLACE OUTWARD 3/8 INCH. FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE AT THREADED AREA BTW HEAD AND CYLINDER. THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING FUNCTIONAL TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3385Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3385Q-1989-06-13), registration cancelled 1989-06-13, S/N 421A0115 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Registry model: [Cessna 421A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421a) (registry code 2076012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421A0115
- Airframe hours: 2293
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-A 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hubert G. Toll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1988, 48 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: LSE, Banning Muni, runway 26, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 24 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 19881101048789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881101048789A), Nov 1, 1988: Cessna 421A, Banning, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost right engine. Did not feather,passed airport. Unable stay aloft,hit power pole and burned. Had prior case crack

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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