ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 36317
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| Date: | Monday 29 April 1996 |
| Time: | 15:15 |
| Type: |  Cessna 421 Golden Eagle |
| Owner/operator: | Monarch Aviation |
| Registration: | N341DA |
| MSN: | 421-0181 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1968 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6804 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental GTSIO-520-D |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Bernard, IA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi |
| Departure airport: | Cedar Rapids Airport, IA (CID) |
| General Mitchell International Airport, WI (MKE) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On April 29, 1996, at 1515 central daylight time (cdt), a Cessna 421, N341DA, piloted by an airline transport rated pilot, was destroyed when it impacted with terrain during a snow storm. The pilot reported low oil pressure on the left engine to Chicago Center, during the flight. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was operating on a IFR flight plan, and instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane departed from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with an intended destination of General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
During flight, the pilot reported shutting down the left engine due to a loss of oil pressure. He declared an emergency and diverted toward an alternate airport. However, while diverting, radar and radio contact were lost, and the airplane crashed. The wreckage path covered a distance of approximately 60 feet; the descent angle during impact was estimated to be about 45 degrees. Oil was found behind the left engine, on the left flap, on the bottom of the left horizontal stabilizer, and on the bottom of the fuselage. Also, fuel stains were seen in the grass around the airplane. No preimpact fire indications were found. The pilot had reported low oil pressure in the left engine before the accident flight, and purchased seven quarts of oil before departing. No indications of power at impact were seen on either engine or propeller. Numerous abnormalities existed with the left engine. No discrepancies were noted with the right engine. The farmer who found the wreckage reported that sleet was falling at the time of the accident. The pilot of another aircraft reported structural icing conditions.
Probable Cause: The pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies, subsequent loss of oil from the left engine, and the pilot's failure to maintain minimum controllable airspeed (VMC), while diverting to an alternate airport. Factors relating to the accident were: a leak from an unknown component in the left engine oil system, and the local weather condition.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB: https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=20001208X05523
Images:
Photo: NTSB
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Oct-2008 10:30 | ASN archive | Added |
| 21-Dec-2016 19:23 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Damage, Category, Investigating agency] |
| 18-Oct-2022 19:17 | Captain Adam | Updated [Aircraft type, Nature, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Accident report, Photo] |
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