# NTSB SEA87MA018: Cessna 401, N3219Q, Henderson, NV, November 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1986, 01:44 local (09:44 UTC)
- Place: Henderson, NV
- Coordinates: 36.039138, -114.930435 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0391&lon=-114.9304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87MA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87MA018

## Sequence of events

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

- Explosion, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - fumes (cause)
  - wing - exploded (contributing factor)
- Fire, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - engine assembly - fire (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

APPROXIMATELY 5 1/2 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE AND WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING ENROUTE, AN UNKNOWN IGNITION SOURCE TRIGGERED AN EXPLOSION OF FUEL/AIR VAPOR WHICH EXISTED WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE LEFT WING. WING SKIN FROM THE UPPER/LOWER WING SURFACE WAS LOST, HOWEVER, THE WING STRUCTURE REMAINED INTEGRAL AND THE PILOTS CONTINUED TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE COURSE REVERSAL BACK TO MCCARRAN INTNL AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENT TO THE EXPLOSION A FIRE DEVELOPED WITHIN THE LEFT ENGINE AREA. AS THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED BACK TOWARDS MCCARRAN THE AIRSPEED GRADUALLY DIMINISHED AND THE LANDING GEAR WERE LOWERED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE LEFT WING ENTERED A STALL CONDITION BROUGHT ABOUT BY A DECREASE OF AIRSPEED AS WELL AS THE DEGRADATION OF ITS LIFT DEVELOPING CAPABILITIES DUE TO THE EXPLOSION INDUCED DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLABLE LEFT ROLL SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET ABOVE GROUND FROM WHICH A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY COULD NOT BE EXECUTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3219Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3219Q-1992-08-05), registration cancelled 1992-08-05, S/N 4010019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4010019
- Airframe hours: 5083
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Wayne L. South
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 3, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NM
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,700 total, 17 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 4 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 19861106056989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861106056989A), Nov 6, 1986: Cessna 401, Henderson, NV, Destroyed. Part of the left wing and engine structure failed after an inflight fire. Aircraft exploded on ground impact.

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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