Cessna 421 accident near Ferguson, KY
On February 17, 2003, a Cessna 421 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ferguson, KY. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- February 17, 2003
- Place
- Ferguson, KY
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 4 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 37.073°N, 84.584°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030227X00263
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 16, 2003, at 2002 eastern standard time, a Cessna 421, N421TJ was destroyed when it impacted trees and terrain in Ferguson, Kentucky, while on an instrument approach to Somerset-Pulaski County Airport - J.T. Wilson Field (SME), Somerset, Kentucky. The certificated commercial pilot, a pilot-rated passenger, and one other passenger were fatally injured. Four additional passengers were seriously injured. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which originated at Griffith-Merrillville Airport (05C), Griffith, Indiana. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the corporate flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A review of the air traffic control transcript revealed that at 1944, the pilot contacted the London Sector Radar position of Indianapolis Center, while descending out of 12,000 feet, and requested the GPS RWY 22 approach at Somerset. The controller responded that he had the request, and that the altimeter setting at London was 29.86. The controller then asked the pilot if he had the current weather at Somerset, and the pilot responded that he did. The controller then confirmed with the pilot, which fix he was proceeding to, and reconfirmed that the pilot wanted the GPS RWY 22 approach. At 1945, the controller cleared the airplane down to 5,000 feet, and advised the pilot that he'd have the approach clearance in a couple of minutes. At 1948, the controller asked the pilot if he had the current NOTAMS (Notices to Airmen). The pilot responded that he did, and that the pilot-controlled runway ligh
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow the instrument approach procedure, which resulted in an early descent into trees and terrain. Factors included the low ceiling and the night lighting conditions.
More accidents in KY
- Bombardier, Inc. CRJ-100, Aug 27, 2006
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- Piper PA-32R-301T, Apr 3, 1988
- Piper PA-32R-301, Mar 22, 2004
Browse: Kentucky · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
