Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CEN17FA167
CESSNA 421C — Huntsville, TX
| Date | April 25, 2017 |
| Location | Huntsville, TX |
| Aircraft | CESSNA 421C |
| Purpose of flight | Flight Test |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Approach Loss of control in flight |
| Pilot age | 62 |
| Pilot total time | 1,567 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 219 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Eng oil sys (airframe furnish)-Quantity-Not serviced/maintained - F
- Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Oil-Fluid level - F
- Not determined-Not determined-(general)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined - F
- Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
What happened
While conducting a postmaintenance test flight in visual flight rules conditions, the private pilot of the multi-engine airplane reported an oil leak to air traffic control. The controller provided vectors for the pilot to enter a right base leg for a landing to the south at the nearest airport, about 7 miles away. The pilot turned toward the airport but indicated that he did not have the airport in sight. Further, while maneuvering toward the airport, the pilot reported that the engine was "dead," and he still did not see the airport. The final radar data point recorded the airplane's position about 3.5 miles west-northwest of the approach end of the runway; the wreckage site was located about 4 miles northeast of the runway, indicating that the pilot flew past the airport rather than turning onto a final approach for landing. The reason that the pilot did not see the runway during the approach to the alternate airport, given that the airplane was operating in visual conditions and the controller was issuing guidance information, could not be determined. Regardless, the pilot did not execute a precautionary landing in a timely manner and lost control of the airplane.
Examination of the airplane's left engine revealed that the No. 2 connecting rod was broken. The connecting rod bearings exhibited signs of heat distress and discoloration consistent with a lack of lubrication. The engine's oil pump was intact, and the gears were wet with oil. Based on the available evidence, the engine failure was the result of oil starvation; however, examination could not identify the reason for the starvation.