Cessna 21OK N81SC
20 October 1996 · Tampa, Florida, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 20 October 1996 at about 14:30 local time, a Cessna 21OK registered N81SC was involved in an accident near Tampa, Florida, United States. 6 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 14:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Tampa, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Vandenberg (X16)
- Coordinates
- 28.0091, -82.5808
- Aircraft
- Cessna 21OK
- Registration
- N81SC
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → St. Petersburg
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- MIA97LA008
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Probable cause
The failure of the pilots of both airplanes to see and avoid each other. Contributing to the accident was the improper planning/decision of the pilot of the Cessna 210 to depart the traffic pattern on the downwind leg rather than on the upwind leg as recommended in the AIM, and the improper planning/decision of the pilot of the Beech 23 to enter a 2-mile downwind.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The Cessna 210, N81SC, was planning on departing the traffic pattern on the downwind leg and reportedly announced his takeoff, crosswind and downwind turns. The Beech 23, N4021T, was inbound from the north and announced his intention of a 'long' 2 mile downwind, which was reportedly heard by an employee at the airport. The Cessna was just completing the turn to downwind at 900 feet when the collision occurred. The pilots of both airplanes were able to land at the airport. A witness observed the collision and reported that it occurred about 1/4 mile north and 1/3 mile west of the departure end of runway 36. A component from the Cessna was found in a field located about 1 nautical mile and 322 degrees from the departure end of the runway. The AIM recommends that aircraft depart the traffic pattern either on the upwind leg or turn 45 degrees to the left while in the upwind leg. The recommended downwind entry is at a 45 degree angle abeam the midpoint of the downwind leg.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 21OK 21OK | N81SC | - | Substantial |
| Beechcraft 23 23 | N4021T | - | Substantial |
Other Cessna 21 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 1983 | Cessna 21ON | Wentzville, Missouri, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 Mar 1996 | Cessna 150M | Ormond Beach, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Mar 1996 | Cessna 152 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 1996 | Robinson R-22-BETA | Bunnell, Florida, United States | International Helicopter Acad. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Mar 1996 | Cessna 150F | Ocala, Florida, United States | TOM McGhee Aircraft | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 1996 | Cessna 172N | New Smyrna Bch, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Mar 1996 | Enstrom F-28C | Defuniak Spring, Florida, United States | Robert D. Duda | Minor injuries | - |