Witnesses Saw Smoke And Flames On The Airplane's Left Engine

The NTSB has released a preliminary report on a accident which occurred December 9th involving a Cessna 421 departing from Joe Foss Field Airport (KFSD), in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The report indicates that witnesses on the ground saw smoke trailing from the left engine of the airplane on takeoff, as well as flames on the inboard portion of the engine. All four of the people on board the airplane were fatally injured when it went down attempting to return to the airport.

NTSB Identification: CEN12FA100
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Friday, December 09, 2011 in Sioux Falls, SD
Aircraft: CESSNA 421C, registration: N421SY
Injuries: 4 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On December 9, 2011, at 1424 CST, a Cessna 421C, N421SY, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after takeoff from Joe Foss Field Airport (FSD), Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The pilot and three passengers were fatally injured. The aircraft was registered to S & S Aviation LLC and operated by Quest Aviation, Inc. under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 as an on-demand air taxi flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The intended destination was Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), Rapid City, South Dakota.

At 1422, the FSD Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) issued a takeoff clearance to the accident flight. About 30 seconds later, the controller informed the pilot that a smoke plume was visible behind the airplane; however, the controller could not determine exactly from where on the airplane the smoke was coming. The controller subsequently advised the pilot that it looked like the smoke had stopped. At 1424, the controller cleared the flight to land. No communications were received from the pilot after he acknowledged the takeoff clearance.

Witnesses reported that the airplane appeared to be trailing white smoke from the area of the left engine during takeoff from runway 33. They subsequently observed flames at the inboard side of the left engine. The airplane began a left turn, apparently in an attempt to return to the airport. As the airplane continued the turn, the flames and trail of white smoke were no longer visible. When the airplane reached a south heading, the nose dropped abruptly and it impacted the ground from an altitude of 800 to 1,000 feet above ground level. They stated that they heard the engine sound increase prior to impact. A postimpact fire ensued.

The airplane impacted an open field about 3/4 mile northwest of the airport. It came to rest upright, with the empennage separated from the aft fuselage. The empennage was in relative position adjacent to the aft fuselage. The fuselage and empennage were oriented on approximate magnetic headings of 078 degrees 151 degrees, respectively. A scorched area about 230 feet long by 40 feet wide emanated from the fuselage oriented approximately 120 degrees.

All major airframe components were located at the accident site. The fuselage and wings were damaged by the postimpact fire. Both the left and right engines remained attached to the airframe. The right propeller hub was fractured and all three propeller blades had separated. One blade was embedded into the ground adjacent to the right horizontal stabilizer. The remaining two blades were located in the debris field about 140 feet and 300 feet from the right engine, respectively. The left propeller hub was also fractured. One propeller blade had separated from the hub and was located under the left engine. The other two blades remained attached to the propeller hub. Teardown examinations of both engines are pending.

The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate, with single and multi-engine land airplane, and instrument airplane ratings. He also held a flight instructor certificate with single and multi-engine airplane, and instrument airplane ratings. He was issued a first class airman medical certificate on August 15, 2011, with a restriction for corrective lenses. At the time of that exam, the pilot reported 3,800 hours total flight time, with 300 hours during the preceding 6 months. The pilot's most recent regulatory checkride was completed on November 10, 2011.

The accident airplane was a Cessna 421C, serial number 421C0051. It was powered by two Continental Motors 375-horsepower GTSIO-520-L turbocharged, reciprocating engines. According to maintenance records, an annual inspection was completed on December 5, 2011, at 4,882.1 hours total airframe time. The left engine, serial number 239805-R, was overhauled and installed on the airframe in April 2004. At the time of the inspection, it had accumulated 1,499.9 hours since overhaul. The right engine, serial number 272006-R, was overhauled and installed on the airframe in October 2011. At the time of the annual inspection, it had accumulated 24.7 hours since overhaul.

Weather conditions at FSD, recorded at 1356, included clear skies with 10 miles visibility, and wind from 300 degrees at 11 knots. At 1456, the conditions included clear skies with 10 miles visibility, and wind from 290 degrees at 10 knots.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov