# NTSB MIA78FKJ24: Cessna 421A, N2245Q, Muscle Shoals, AL, March 13, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: March 13, 1978
- Place: Muscle Shoals, AL · MUSCLE SHOALS, AL
- Location: 34.7427° N, 87.6338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Muscle Shoals, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7427&lon=-87.6338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA78FKJ24
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FKJ24

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2190  78/3/13    MUSCLE SHOALS,AL    CESSNA 421A         CR-  0  0  2  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1825                    N2245Q              PX-  0  0  0  CORP/EXEC                 AGE 26, 3785 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            312 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MUSCLE SHOALS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          OPA LOCKA,FL                MEMPHIS,TN                   STOCKBRIDGE,GA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           DITCHING                                                 LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - ENGINE STRUCTURE: VALVE ASSEMBLIES
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
           POWERPLANT - LUBRICATING SYSTEM: LINES,HOSES,FITTING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OBSTRUCTED
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL CONTAMINATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERHEATED
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN WATER
        PARTIAL POWER LOSS - PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER - 1 ENGINE
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON WATER
        REMARKS- R ENG #2 EXH VALVE FOUND IN OIL SUMP.R ENG PLUGS GAPPED 0.033 TO 0.041,0.015 TO 0.019 RECOMMENDED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2245Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2245Q-2017-10-28), registration cancelled 2017-10-28, S/N 421A0045, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Registry model: [Cessna 421A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421a) (registry code 2076012) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Muscle Shoals

## 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 19780313010199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780313010199A), Mar 13, 1978: Cessna 421, Muscle Shoals, AL, Substantial damage. R eng #2 exh valve found in oil sump.r eng plugs gapped 0.033 to 1,0.015 to 0.019 recommended.

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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