# NTSB NYC88FA181: Cessna 421, N825DW, Taunton, MA, July 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1988, 19:29 local (23:29 UTC)
- Place: Taunton, MA
- Location: 41.9001° N, 71.0898° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Taunton, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9001&lon=-71.0898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36006
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36006/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA181

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - 1 engine
  - engine accessories - fatigue (contributing factor)
  - engine accessories,engine starter - loose (contributing factor)
  - lubricating system,oil seal - loss,partial (contributing factor)
  - fluid,oil - leak (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BFR RCHG HIS DESTN, THE PLT ADZD APCH CTL THAT HIS RGT ENG WAS 'BLOWING SOME SMOKE' & LOSING OIL PRESSURE. VECTORS WERE PROVIDED FOR A VISUAL APCH, BUT THERE WERE LOW CLOUDS IN THE AREA & VIS WAS RESTRICTED DUE TO HAZE. AFTER REACHING THE VCNTY OF THE ARPT, THE PLT SAID IT WAS IN SIGHT & HE WAS ENTERING A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 30. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT ON A LEFT DOWNWIND, BUT SAID THE ACFT OVERSHOT THE 1ST TURN TO FINAL APCH. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 2500' NE OF THE RWY IN A WOODED AREA. WITNESSES AGREED THE ACFT WAS SLOW & IN A STEEP RGT TURN WITH THE GEAR EXTD BFR IT CRASHED IN A STEEP DSCNT & BURNED. AN EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE THE STARTER ON THE RGT ENG HAD BACKED OFF; 3 STARTER BOLTS HAD FRACTURED THRU THE THREADED AREA WITH SIGNS OF FATIGUE CRACKING; WEAR MARKS ON THE STARTER GEAR & ENG GEAR RING INDCD THE STARTER MOTOR HAD SHIFTED APRX 3/4' REARWARD. ALSO, THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE TORSIONAL DAMPER WAS LOOSE ON ITS SHAFT BFR THE ACDNT & THAT BOTH PROPS WERE OPERG AT LOW PITCH DRG INITIAL IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N825DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N825DW-1990-04-19), registration cancelled 1990-04-19, S/N 4210079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421
- Registry model: [Cessna 421](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421) (registry code 2076010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421-0079
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vadala Management Corporation
- Registered owner: Vrdala Management Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1988
- Departed: BEV, BEVERLY, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: TAN, Taunton Muni, runway 30, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 780 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWB

## 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 19880714026649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880714026649A), Jul 14, 1988: Cessna 421, Taunton, MA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right engine smoked,lost oil pressure. Starter bolts had sheared.

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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