Summary
On August 31, 2024, at approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 421C, registration N421GP, was destroyed in an accident near Fairview, Oregon. The two pilots and one person on the ground sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Sequence of Events
Prior to departure, the pilot contacted the Troutdale Airport (TTD) Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and requested a visual flight rules departure from runway 25, with the intention to remain within the airport traffic pattern. At 1015, the airplane departed runway 25 and initially remained in the pattern. Shortly thereafter, the controller queried the pilot about their intentions, noting that the airplane had flown above the pattern altitude. The pilot confirmed his intent to descend and stay in the pattern. About one minute later, the controller again inquired about intentions. The pilot reported having “handling problems” and then transmitted a partial message: “test flight; I can’t get this thing to.”
The controller alerted the pilot to converging traffic, instructed other aircraft to standby, and issued a landing clearance for runway 7. When asked if they could land on runway 7, the second pilot responded, “we’re going to try, not sure.” The controller then cleared the pilots to land any runway. No further radio transmissions were received from either pilot. Radar data showed the airplane continuing a left descending turn approximately 2 miles south of runway 25 until radar contact was lost.
Impact and Wreckage
Surveillance video from a camera located about 1.4 miles west-southwest of runway 25 captured the accident airplane in a descending left turn with the landing gear extended. The airplane was on a southeasterly heading when its left wing struck high-tension powerline wires. The airplane continued southeast, impacting a mature oak tree and several residential structures before a post-impact fire ensued.
Examination of the accident site revealed that the first identifiable point of contact was the powerline wires, approximately 110 feet in height. The debris path, which included various airplane fragments, vegetation, and residential structure debris, was about 703 feet long and 477 feet wide, oriented on a heading of approximately 120° magnetic. All major structural components of the airplane were located throughout the debris path. The main wreckage came to rest within a residential structure.
The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.