# NTSB LAX90FA311: Cessna 411, N7321U, Fallon, NV, September 3, 1990 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: September 3, 1990, 12:44 local (19:44 UTC) - Place: Fallon, NV - Coordinates: 39.500125, -118.290161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5001&lon=-118.2902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26654/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA311 ## Probable cause FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PERFORM EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR LOSS OF ENGINE POWER (INCLUDING HIS FAILURE TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER OF THE AFFECTED ENGINE). FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND OVERHEAT FAILURE OF THE #1 AND #4 PISTONS IN THE RIGHT ENGINE (FROM PREIGNITION OR DETONATION). ## 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 - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor) - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - propeller feathering - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE ACFT HAD RECENTLY BEEN RETURNED TO SVC AFTER 5 YRS IN STORAGE. ON THIS FLT, IT WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT TWO POLITICAL CANDIDATES ON THEIR CAMPAIGN ITINERARY. DRG TAKEOFF FROM RWY 3, THE RGT ENG LOST PWR ON THE INITIAL CLIMB & THE ACFT DSCNDD & CRASHED ABT 2 MI SE OF THE ARPT. THE PLT DID NOT COMPLETE THE EMERG PROC FOR AN ENG FAILURE. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT HE DID NOT FEATHER THE PROP, DID NOT BANK INTO THE GOOD ENG, AND DID NOT CLOSE THE COWL FLAPS ON THE INOP ENG. AN EXAM OF THE RGT ENG DISCLOSED OVERHEATING & ERROSION OF THE #1 & #4 PISTONS, WHICH RESULTED IN HOLES IN THE TOP EDGES OF THE PISTONS. ALSO, THERE WERE CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS, CONTAMINATION & CORROSION OF THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP, AND CONTAMINATION & PARTIAL OBSTRUCTION OF THE MANIFOLD VALVE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ABSOLUTE PRESSURE CTRL OF THE TURBOCHARGER WAS FOUND TO BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED. THE PLT'S MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 8/13/86. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7321U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7321U-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 411-0021, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 411 - Registry model: [Cessna 411](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-411) (registry code 2075902) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 411 0021 - Airframe hours: 2720 - Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-C 340 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert Seale - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1990, 61 hours before - Departed: FLX - Destination: 004, CARSON CITY, NV - Airport: FLX, Fallon Muni, runway 3, 5,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 2,398 total, 88 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: NFL, 5 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 19900903037629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900903037629A), Sep 3, 1990: Cessna 411, Fallon, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right engine failed on climbout,did not feather. Rolled right and crashed. Holes in pistons. Fuel pump inoperative. ## Other investigations on N7321U (1) 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. - [NTSB FTW75FQG41](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW75FQG41), Jan 17, 1975: Cessna 411 (N7321U), Wink, TX, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.