# NTSB LAX89LA217: Cessna 421, N421S, Picacho, AZ, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Picacho, AZ
- Location: 32.7085° N, 111.4949° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Picacho, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7085&lon=-111.4949&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26428
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26428/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA217

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE ON THE LEFT ENGINE. A MAJOR FACTOR WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WHERE THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT OPERATE ON SINGLE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - failure,total (cause)
  - 1 engine
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Fire, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS RETRACTED AND THE LEFT PROPELLER FEATHERED, THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLIMB SLIGHTLY. AS IT PASSED OVER GREEN FIELDS, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A DESCENT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN A COTTON FIELD AND THE LEFT TIP TANK BURST INTO FLAMES AS IT TOUCHED THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE FAILED. ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT WAS 1,600 FEET MST, OAT WAS 114 DEGREES F. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,600 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N421S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421S-2014-10-06), registration cancelled 2014-10-06, S/N 421-0063, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- 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
- Serial number: 0063
- Airframe hours: 5070
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William E. Hamilton
- Registered owner: W.E. Hamilton & Schlitten Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1988, 80 hours before
- Departed: EDS
- Destination: SEZ, SEDONA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,169 total, 700 in this make and model, 24,000 as pilot in command, 157 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 115 °F, dew point 45 °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 19890617016179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617016179A), Jun 17, 1989: Cessna 421, Pichaco, AZ, Destroyed. Lost left engine on initial climbout, 114 temp and density altitude precluded further climb. Exhaust valve failure.

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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