Cessna 421A N3385Q

Summary

On 2 November 1988 at about 00:13 local time, a Cessna 421A registered N3385Q was involved in an accident near Cabazon, California, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 November 1988 at 00:13

Classification

Accident

Location

Cabazon, California, United States

Nearest airport

Banning Muni (LSE)

Coordinates

33.9292, -116.7705

Aircraft

Cessna 421A

Registration

N3385Q

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Torrance → Tucson

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX89FA030

1 person died.

THE PILOT'S POOR DECISION AND MISJUDGEMENT OF DISTANCE. THE SEPARATION OF THE CYLINDER, FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER TO FEATHER, AND IMPACT WITH WIRES AND A RESIDENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PLT CONTACTED THE ARSA CONTROLLER FOR ADVISORIES AFTER LOSING PWR ON THE RIGHT ENG OVER AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE CONTROLLER ADVISED THE PLT THAT HIS POSITION WAS NEAR A CIVILIAN ARPT WITH LIMITED MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND AN AIR FORCE BASE. THE PLT ADVISED THAT HE DESIRED TO CONTINUE TO A LARGER CIVILIAN ARPT ALONG HIS ROUTE WHERE HE COULD OBTAIN SERVICE. THE PLT THEN INFORMED THE CONTROLLER THAT HE COULD BARLEY SEE THE GROUND AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT DUE TO THE PROPELLER NOT FEATHERING. THE ACFT OVERFLEW A SMALL CIVILIAN ARPT AND THE PLT TOLD THE UNICOM OPERATOR THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO LAND ON AN INTERSTATE HWY. THE ACFT OVERFLEW THE HWY AND IMPACTED AN ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND COLLIDED WITH A RESIDENCE. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT ENG #3 CYLINDER HEAD FRACTURED ALLOWING THE HEAD TO DISPLACE OUTWARD 3/8 INCH. FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE AT THREADED AREA BTW HEAD AND CYLINDER. THE PROPELLER GOVERNOR OPERATED NORMALLY DURING FUNCTIONAL TESTING AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.