# NTSB MIA87FA239: Cessna 421, N421DT, Coral Springs, FL, September 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1987, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Coral Springs, FL
- Coordinates: 26.270217, -80.260238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2702&lon=-80.2602&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - initiated
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE ACFT HAD BEEN ABANDONED IN THE BAHAMAS FOR APRX 7 MONTHS. A PLT, WITH NO KNOWN FLT TIME IN A CESSNA 421, FLEW IT TO FT LAUDERDALE. EXCEPT TO AVOID CLDS, HE MADE THE FLT AT A LOW ALT & AIRSPEED. WHEN ASKED WHY, HE SAID HE WAS TRYING TO SAVE THE ENGS. THE PLT THEN DEPD TWD AN AREA OF DARK CLDS & TSTMS. WHEN HE DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE DESTN, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE ACFT WAS FND 4 DAYS LATER WHERE IT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. RADAR DATA SHOWED THE ACFT MADESVRL HDG CHGS & WAS RTRNG TO THE DEP ARPT BEFORE IT CRASHED. THE FWD PART OF THE ACFT WAS BURIED IN A SWAMP, BUT THE AFT EDGES OF THE WINGS, FUSELAGE & EMPENNAGE WERE VISIBLE ABOVE WATER. THE PROPS HAD ROTATIONAL DMG; NO PREIMPACT MECH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. AN EXAM OF THE RGT ENG REVEALED ITS #2 PUSH RODS & ROCKER ARMS/SHAFTS/RETAINERS HAD BEEN REMOVED BEFORE FLT. ALSO, A #2 SPARK PLUG WAS STOWED WITH ITS IGNITION LEAD ATTACHED. THE ACFT OWNER WAS NOT FND. THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS DATED 5/28/85.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N421DT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N421DT-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 421-0017, built 1967 (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: 421-0017
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas H. Koch
- Registered owner: J. Douglas Cameron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FLL, FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
- Destination: X28, NEW PORT RICHEY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLL, 20 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 19870902050049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870902050049A), Sep 2, 1987: Cessna 421, Coral Springs, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into the everglades.IFR conditions in crash area. VFR pilot had no prior experience or checkout in aircraft

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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