North Las Vegas - Yellowstone
Flight / Schedule
North Las Vegas - Yellowstone
Aircraft
Cessna 421C Golden Eagle IIIRegistration
N6234G
MSN
421C-0265
Year of Manufacture
1977
Operator
Adventure AirlinesDate
September 2, 1995 at 08:38 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Executive/Corporate/Business
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Mesquite Nevada
Region
North America • United States of America
Coordinates
36.8036°, -114.0671°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On September 2, 1995 at 08:38 AM, North Las Vegas - Yellowstone experienced a crash involving Cessna 421C Golden Eagle III, operated by Adventure Airlines, with the event recorded near Mesquite Nevada.
The flight was categorized as executive/corporate/business and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
8 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 7, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. After climbing to 18,400 feet msl, the pilot reported a turbocharger problem and reversed course. He said he 'may lose the left engine' and that he was unable to maintain altitude. He diverted to an alternate airport. During a right turn onto final approach, the airplane was observed to cross (overshoot) the extended centerline of the runway. It continued in a right turn back toward the centerline, and then entered a left turn to intercept the inbound course. The turn steepened, and then the airplane entered a spin and crashed 1/2 mile short of the runway. A warped flange and evidence of exhaust gas leakage were found on the Inconel exhaust system Wye collector, at the wastegate outlet of the left engine. Neither propeller was in a feather position. There was evidence that the left engine was providing low power during impact. A note on the pilot's clipboard indicated that the (left engine) fuel flow and cylinder head temperature went to zero, and the manifold pressure dropped to 10 inches. The note also indicated that the pilot switched the 'boost pump' to high, the fuel flow went to 260 psi, and manifold pressure increased to 18.5 inches. Calculations showed that the airplane's gross weight (GW) and center-of-gravity (CG) were 7,645 pounds and 158.32 inches. The maximum allowable GW and CG were 7,450 pounds and 158 inches. During impact, the flaps were fully extended. The 'Engine Inoperative Landing' procedure stated, 'Wing Flaps - DOWN when landing is assured.' Most of the pilot's flight time in the Cessna 421 was before 1985; no record was found of recurrent training in the airplane since 1984. Annual and turbocharger inspections were made at 78 and 120 flight hours, respectively, before the accident, but no logbook entries were made concerning maintenance or replacement parts for the exhaust system. All eight occupants were killed.
Aircraft reference details include registration N6234G, MSN 421C-0265, year of manufacture 1977.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 36.8036°, -114.0671°.
Fatalities
Total
8
Crew
1
Passengers
7
Other
0
Crash Summary
After climbing to 18,400 feet msl, the pilot reported a turbocharger problem and reversed course. He said he 'may lose the left engine' and that he was unable to maintain altitude. He diverted to an alternate airport. During a right turn onto final approach, the airplane was observed to cross (overshoot) the extended centerline of the runway. It continued in a right turn back toward the centerline, and then entered a left turn to intercept the inbound course. The turn steepened, and then the airplane entered a spin and crashed 1/2 mile short of the runway. A warped flange and evidence of exhaust gas leakage were found on the Inconel exhaust system Wye collector, at the wastegate outlet of the left engine. Neither propeller was in a feather position. There was evidence that the left engine was providing low power during impact. A note on the pilot's clipboard indicated that the (left engine) fuel flow and cylinder head temperature went to zero, and the manifold pressure dropped to 10 inches. The note also indicated that the pilot switched the 'boost pump' to high, the fuel flow went to 260 psi, and manifold pressure increased to 18.5 inches. Calculations showed that the airplane's gross weight (GW) and center-of-gravity (CG) were 7,645 pounds and 158.32 inches. The maximum allowable GW and CG were 7,450 pounds and 158 inches. During impact, the flaps were fully extended. The 'Engine Inoperative Landing' procedure stated, 'Wing Flaps - DOWN when landing is assured.' Most of the pilot's flight time in the Cessna 421 was before 1985; no record was found of recurrent training in the airplane since 1984. Annual and turbocharger inspections were made at 78 and 120 flight hours, respectively, before the accident, but no logbook entries were made concerning maintenance or replacement parts for the exhaust system. All eight occupants were killed.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
1
Passengers On Board
7
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
North Las Vegas - Yellowstone
Operator
Adventure AirlinesFlight Type
Executive/Corporate/Business
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
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