# NTSB NYC82DA049: Cessna 421C, N5358J, Westerly, RI, February 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1982, 19:15 local (Feb 23, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Westerly, RI
- Location: 41.3496° N, 71.8034° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WESTERLY STATE (WST), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3496&lon=-71.8034&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 22, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wing - ice (contributing factor)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD DURING A NIGHT LANDING AFTER THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED ICING CONDITIONS IN FLIGHT. SEVERAL WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD 1/2 TO 3/4 INCH OF ICE ON THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS AND VERTICLE STABILIZER. THE GROSS LANDING WEIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 7519 LBS WITH THE CENTER-OF- GRAVITY NEAR THE FORWARD LIMIT. THE MAXIMUM CERTIFICATED LANDING WEIGHT WAS 7200 LBS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5358J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0671
- Airframe hours: 706
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Luna Industries, Inc.
- Registered owner: Luna Industries, Inc.
- Departed: CRE
- Destination: WST
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: WST, Westerly State, runway 7, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,324 total, 674 in this make and model, 3,324 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WST

## 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 19820222025739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820222025739A), Feb 22, 1982: Cessna 421C, Westerly, RI, Substantial damage. Over gross on takeoff. Loaded with ice en route and over landing weight. Hard landing wrinkled wings, other damage.

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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