# NTSB LAX94LA302: Cessna 421C, N985RA, Polacca, AZ, July 29, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1994, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Polacca, AZ - Coordinates: 35.760955, -110.249031 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7610&lon=-110.2490&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28812 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28812/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA302 ## Probable cause the pilot's attempt to make a 180-degree turn in soft sand at a speed which imposed side loading on the nose gear. Factors were the pilot's decision to continue the approach beyond the planned touchdown point, the effect of the runway surface on braking action, and the bird strike. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown - object - bird(s) (contributing factor) - Overrun, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported he observed the windsock hanging limp and initiated an approach to runway 22. After turning final, he noticed that the aircraft floated more than usual and suspected that he had a tail wind. Upon touchdown, a bird impacted the copilot's windscreen and he said he may have delayed braking as he attempted to avoid the flock. After touchdown, he said the braking action was less than normal because of the roughness of the tar and dirt build up on the runway surface. By the time he was able to slow the aircraft's landing roll, he had overrun the runway. He immediately noticed the aircraft was rolling into soft sand and was attempting to use his momentum to make a 180-degree turn back to runway when the nose gear collapsed. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1994, at 1620 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 421C, N985RA, sustained substantial damage during a landing overrun at Polacca, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Life Flight and was on a revenue flight under 14 CFR Part 135 of Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions were prevalent at the time of the accident and a company (VFR) flight plan had been filed for the operation. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot, the two crew members, nor the two passengers were injured. The flight originated from Flagstaff Pulliam airport at 1550 on the day of the accident. The pilot reported that he observed the windsock hanging limp and initiated an approach to runway 22. After turning final, he noticed that the aircraft floated more than usual and he suspected a tail wind. The approach speed and descent rate were normal. Upon touchdown, a bird impacted the copilot's windscreen and he said he may have delayed braking as he attempted to avoid the flock. After touchdown, the braking action was less than normal because of the roughness of the tar and dirt build up on the runway surface. By the time he was able to slow the aircraft's landing roll to approximately 10 knots, he had overrun the runway. He immediately noticed the aircraft was rolling into soft sand and was attempting to use his momentum to make a 180- degree turn back to runway when the nose gear collapsed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N985RA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N985RA-2007-03-22), registration cancelled 2007-03-22, S/N 421C0083, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C - Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421C-0083 - Airframe hours: 4149 - Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520L 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Randsburg Corp., doing business as Life Flight - Registered owner: Randsburg Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1994, 43 hours before - Departed: FLG, FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 4PH, Palocca, runway 22, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,121 total, 87 in this make and model, 4,299 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 3 knots - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC, 119 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 19940729025049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940729025049A), Jul 29, 1994: Cessna 421C, Polacca, AZ, Substantial damage. Overran runway on landing into soft sand. Collapsed nose gear. Delayed braking when a bird hit windshield. 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.