# NTSB LAX90LA288: Cessna 421, N76SH, Concord, CA, August 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1990, 13:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 37.999588, -122.029144 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9996&lon=-122.0291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA288
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA288

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE CHECKLIST. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE LANDING GEAR BEING UNLOCKED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - electrical system - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING CONCORD AIRPORT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL FAILURE FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. DURING THE INTERMITTENT PHASE THE PILOT ELECTRICALLY EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR. DURING THE EXTENSION THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE PILOT RETURNED TO CONCORD AIRPORT AND LANDED. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. AFTER THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST THE PILOT SHUT OFF ALL ELECTRICAL SWITCHES, INCLUDING THE BATTERY/MASTER SWITCH. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE LANDING EXTENDED TO THE LOCKED POSITION BEFORE SUSTAINING THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND WAS UNABLE TO CHECK THE LANDING GEAR WARNING LIGHTS TO DETERMINE THAT THE LANDING GEARS WERE DOWN AND LOCKED. THE PILOT DID NOT FOLLOW THE APPROPRIATE CHECKLIST AND USE THE HANDCRANK TO DETERMINE THAT THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN FACT EXTENDED AND LOCKED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76SH-1992-02-25), registration cancelled 1992-02-25, S/N 421B0558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0558
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Calwest Aviaiton
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Airport: CCR, Concord, runway 32R, 3,951 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,005 total, 75 in this make and model, 816 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CCR

## 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 19900809031849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900809031849A), Aug 9, 1990: Cessna 421B, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Reported electric power intermittant. Beleived gear down and locked. Collapsed landing. Failed to hand crank gear.

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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