# NTSB MIA92FA114: Cessna 401, N3271Q, New Port Richey, FL, April 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1992, 16:06 local (20:06 UTC)
- Place: New Port Richey, FL
- Location: 28.2466° N, 82.7175° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Port Richey, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2466&lon=-82.7175&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED (VS) WHILE MANEUVERING FOR A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING AN IN FLIGHT LEFT ENGINE FIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S INADVERTENT SHUTDOWN OF THE WRONG ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, maneuvering
  - powerplant - fire (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong engine shutdown - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PIC DEPARTED ON A FERRY FLIGHT IN VFR CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FERRY PERMIT. WITNESSES STATED THEY OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE RETURNING TO THE AIRPORT AT ABOUT 150 TO 500 FEET. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO BEGAN A LEFT TURN WITH THE LANDING GEAR EXTENDED. A FIRE WAS OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY OF THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED IN A STEEP DESCENDING LEFT TURN  BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREE LINE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3271Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3271Q-1995-06-07), registration cancelled 1995-06-07, S/N 4010071 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401-0071
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph A. Mcdonald
- Registered owner: Howard F. Arends Ent Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1987
- Destination: GNV, GAINESVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA, 17 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 19920423014179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920423014179A), Apr 23, 1992: Cessna 401, New Port Richey, FL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In flight fire left wing nacelle area. Stalled trying to return. Right throttle closed. Fire origin not addressed.

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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