Cessna 421A accident near Dallas, Texas, May 24, 2014
On May 24, 2014 at about 12:15 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 421A, registered N936U, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (to runway) near Dallas, Texas (Dallas Executive airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper rigging of the landing gear by maintenance personnel, which resulted in the landing gear collapse.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2014 · about 12:15 pm local time
- Place
- Dallas, Texas · Dallas Executive · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421A, built 1969 · all 421As on the register
- Registration
- N936U · no longer on the register · serial 421A0065
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot, with three passengers, proceeded toward the runway for departure, in a twin-engine airplane. As the airplane approached the taxiway intersection, the right main landing gear collapsed, causing the right wing tank and right engine propeller to impact the ground. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the right wing and damage to the right engine propeller. Further examination of the landing gear revealed that the gear was not properly rigged.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during taxi
- Landing gear collapse during taxi (to runway) defining event
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during taxi (to runway)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › (general) › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 1,500 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 2, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 6,841 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor GTSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor GTSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Amigo Banding Services INC
The flight
- Departed from: KRBD Dallas TX
- Destination: Kissimee FL
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on August 25, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.