Cessna 421B accident near Platteville, Wisconsin, September 21, 2015
On September 21, 2015 at about 3:40 pm local time, a Cessna 421B, registered N813CA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Platteville, Wisconsin (Platteville Muni airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of right engine power for undetermined reasons with insufficient runway remaining for the aborted takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 21, 2015 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Platteville, Wisconsin · Platteville Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421B B · all 421Bs on the register
- Registration
- N813CA · registry record · serial 421B0894
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot reported that he completed the pretakeoff checklist, which included a run-up of each engine; no anomalies were noted. During the takeoff roll, the pilot noticed a decrease in manifold pressure in the right engine and felt a power reduction. He attempted to abort the takeoff with about 1,000 ft of runway pavement remaining. However, the airplane was traveling at 85 knots at the time of his decision, and the airplane would have needed about 2,400 ft of runway to stop. The airplane departed the runway surface, continued through a grassy area, and came to a stop in an adjacent field, which resulted in substantial damage to the nose and wing. During the postaccident examination of the right engine, the engine was successfully test run, and no anomalies were found during the run that would have precluded normal operation or production of rated horsepower. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot choosing to abort the takeoff with inadequate runway distance remaining after a reported loss of engine power. The exact magneto timing was not determined, and although it could have affected the engine performance, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.
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
- Loss of engine power (partial) during takeoff
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area length › Decision related to condition
- cause Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Runway/landing area length › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine indicating system › Manifold pressure (MP) › Related operating info
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,478 hours in all; 194 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 1,478 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 27, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,844.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 7,449 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Continental GTSIO-520 H1B (piston); 1,322 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental GTSIO-520 H2B (piston); 1,322 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVB Platteville WI at 3:00 pm
- Destination: DAY Dayton OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 15, 3,999 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from KPVB
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.