# NTSB NYC85FA097: Cessna 421B, N5407J, Johnson City, NY, April 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1985, 16:46 local (21:46 UTC)
- Place: Johnson City, NY
- Coordinates: 42.10963, -75.96038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1096&lon=-75.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35802
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35802/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA097

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - slush covered (contributing factor)
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER A HEAVY SNOW SHOWER PASSED OVER THE AIRPORT, THE ACCIDENT ACFT ATTEMPTED A DEPARTURE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PLT TRANSMITTED THAT HE WAS COMING BACK TO LAND.THE ACFT CRASHED SHORTLY THEREAFTER, 1 MILE SOUTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT USE NEARLY ALL OF THE 4,999 FT RWY AND GRADUALLY DESCEND OUT OF SIGHT PRIOR TO THE CRASH. A CESSNA CONQUEST HAD DEPARTED THE SAME RWY MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ACFT AND EXPERIENCED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PORBLEMS DUE TO SLUSH ON THE RWY AND AIRFRAME ICING ON THEIR ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5407J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5407J-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 421B0955, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSI0-520-F-K](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsi0-520-f-k) (registry code 17031, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B0955
- Airframe hours: 1930
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles A. Bradley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1984, 130 hours before
- Destination: TOL, TOLEDO, OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BGM, Edwin A. Link Field, runway 28, 4,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,350 total, 780 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGM, 2 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 19850402049229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850402049229A), Apr 2, 1985: Cessna 421B, Binghamton, NY, Destroyed. Aircraft would not climb after takeoff from slushy slick runway. Heavy snow shower, rapid temp drop. Struck trees.

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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