# NTSB NYC04LA067: Cessna 421, N300FB, Ravenna, OH, January 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 14, 2004, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Ravenna, OH - Coordinates: 41.209999, -81.251388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2100&lon=-81.2514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58738 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58738/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and subsequent hard landing. A factor in the accident was degraded aircraft performance due to the airframe ice accumulation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance - deteriorated (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis According to the pilot, the airplane encountered icing while flying in and out of the clouds, and as he performed a visual approach to the airport, a layer of ice had accumulated on the windshield. The pilot flew three approaches to the runway, attempting to "line up with the final," as well as clear ice off the windshield. During the third attempt, as the pilot flared to land, the co-pilot stated, "I have the flaps," and extended the flaps to the full position. Several seconds later, the airplane "stalled," at an altitude of 10 feet, and touched down hard on the runway. ## Factual narrative On January 14, 2004, at 1730 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421, N300FB, was substantially damaged while landing at the Portage County Airport (29G), Ravenna, Ohio. The certificated commercial pilot (pilot in command), airline transport co-pilot, and three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the flight which originated at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), Kalamazoo, Michigan. The executive/corporate flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot in command, the airplane encountered icing while flying in and out of the clouds en route to Ravenna. The airplane descended out of the clouds and a visual approach to Ravenna was performed; however, a layer of ice had accumulated on the windshield. The pilot flew three approaches to the runway, attempting to "line up with the final," as well as clear ice off the windshield. During the third attempt, as the pilot flared to land, the co-pilot stated, "I have the flaps," and extended the flaps to the full position. Several seconds later, the airplane "stalled," at an altitude of 10 feet, and touched down hard on the runway. According to the co-pilot, the airplane had "built up ice" en route to Ravenna, and the visibility through the windshield was limited. While on final approach, the left wing "stalled," and the airplane "fell out of the sky," landing hard on the runway. He additionally reported that he may have extended the flaps on short final, so that the pilot could concentrate on flying the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. Additionally, the left wing de-icing boot contained tears along its leading edge. Weather reported at Akron Fulton International Airport, 14 miles to the southwest, at 1743, included wind from 190 degrees at 7 knots, 1-3/4 miles visibility with light snow and mist, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, overcast clouds at 3,600 feet, temperature 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and dew point 25 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N300FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N300FB-2004-11-18), registration cancelled 2004-11-18, S/N 421B0893, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 421 - Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0893 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91 - Operator: Nicholas Pate - Registered owner: Gerald Stephens - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AZO, Battle Creek, MI - Destination: 29G, Ravenna, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 29G, Portage County Airport, runway 27, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 20, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 884 total, 45 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 190° at 7 knots - Visibility: 1.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg - Observed at: AKR, 14 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 20040114006359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040114006359A), Jan 14, 2004: Cessna 421B, Ravenna, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot departed battle creek Michigan enroute to Portage County Airport (29G). On climb out aircraft began to pick up ice. The aircraft left de-ice boot… 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.