# NTSB MKC87LA006: Cessna 421C, N49D, Hot Springs, AR, October 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1986, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Hot Springs, AR
- Coordinates: 34.45013, -93.099861 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4501&lon=-93.0999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA006

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT GEAR WENT DOWN NORMALLY, HE HAD THREE GREEN LIGHTS AND THE GEAR WARNING HORN WAS NOT ON AND HE COULD SEE THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS DOWN BY LOOKING IN THE NACELLE MIRROR. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WAS LOWERED AND AS IT TOUCHED THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION DID NOT INDICATE ANY PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL OR HYDRAULIC PROBLEMS. A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE NOSE GEAR ACTUATOR WAS REQUESTED BUT THE UNIT WAS OVERHAULED INSTEAD. IT DID NOT INDICATE ANY SIGNS OF STRESS OR ABNORMAL WEAR. IT WAS APPROVED FOR RETURN TO SERVICE. THE REASON FOR THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N49D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0076
- Airframe hours: 1590
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence H. Derby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1986, 75 hours before
- Departed: 3M9, WARREN, AR
- Airport: HOT, Memorial, runway 5, 6,596 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 550 in this make and model, 9,215 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOT

## 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 19861017080129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861017080129A), Oct 17, 1986: Cessna 421C, Hot Springs, AR, Substantial damage. Nose gear collapsed on touchdown. Pilot reported checking gear multiple times but no mechanical defects were found.

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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