# NTSB MIA87LA023: Cessna 421C, N37359, Tampa, FL, November 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1986, 10:16 local (15:16 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.960775, -82.490135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9608&lon=-82.4901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31819
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31819/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT HAD BEEN CLEARED FOR A VISUAL APPROACH BEHIND A LOCKHEED L-1011 AIRCRAFT AND WAS WARNED TO USE CAUTION AGAINST WAKE TURBULENCE. THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED THE WAKE TURBULENCE OF THE L-1011 AT 1600 FEET. CONTROL COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO AN INVERTED POSITION. THE TWO PILOTS PERFORMED A 'SPLIT-S' MANEUVER AND REGAINED CONTROL AT 400 FEET. A NORMAL LANDING WAS THEN MADE. RADAR DATA REVEALED THE L-1011 CROSSED THE POINT WHERE N37359 ENCOUNTERED THE TURBULENCE 1 MINUTE AND 34 SECONDS PRIOR AT AND ALT OF 2100 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N37359](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N37359-1989-01-04), registration cancelled 1989-01-04, S/N 421C0652 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0652
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R. Lance
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1985, 257 hours before
- Departed: OCF, OCALA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TPA, Tampa International, runway 18L, 8,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,740 total, 355 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 6 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 19861106058959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861106058959A), Nov 6, 1986: Cessna 421C, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from a heavy jet. The pilots overstressed the aircraft during recovery.

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.