# NTSB LAX91LA142: Cessna 421, N4071L, El Monte, CA, March 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1991, 20:12 local (Mar 23, 1991, 04:12 UTC)
- Place: El Monte, CA
- Coordinates: 34.079578, -118.029518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0796&lon=-118.0295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27145
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27145/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA142

## Probable cause

THE PILOT RETRACTING THE LANDING GEAR DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - gear retraction - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

AFTER A TWO HOUR LOCAL FLIGHT THE PILOT RETURNED TO HIS HOME AIRPORT FOR A LANDING UNDER VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. THE LANDING WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED APPROXIMATELY TWO THIRDS THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY. THE TOWER CONTROLLER OBSERVED SPARKS EMANATING FROM THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING DURING THE LAST 250 FEET IT WAS ON THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND IMPACTED A PARKED AIRCRAFT BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO PERSONNEL DURING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4071L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4071L-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 421-0071, 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: 4210071
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David Ahlzadeh
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: EMT, El Monte, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: EMT, 1 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 19910322007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910322007209A), Mar 22, 1991: Cessna 421A, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed on landing roll. No mechanical defects. Damage shows gear intransit on touchdown.

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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