Cessna 421 accident near Sandersville, Georgia, May 21, 2018
On May 21, 2018 at about 5:10 pm local time, a 1976 Cessna 421, registered N427JM, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Sandersville, Georgia (Kaolin Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A nose landing gear collapse for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2018 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Sandersville, Georgia · Kaolin Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421 C, built 1976 · all 421s on the register
- Registration
- N427JM · registry record · serial 421C0103
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the flight was uneventful and during the approach for landing, he placed the landing gear handle in the down position and observed three green landing gear lights, indicating that the gear was down and locked. Shortly after touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed into the retracted position. The airplane’s nose impacted the runway and the airplane skidded to a stop, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. After the airplane stopped, the landing gear position lights indicated that all of the landing gear were extended and locked into position. A mechanic who saw the landing and assisted in removing the airplane from the runway after the accident reported that, during the attempt to move the airplane, they lifted the nose off the ground and tried unsuccessfully to move the nose landing gear into the down and locked position. Postaccident testing of the nose landing gear actuator revealed no discrepancies. Although the green safe switch remained illuminated during the entire testing cycle, indicating a defective switch, this did not directly contribute to the collapse of the nose landing gear. Review of maintenance records showed no nose gear discrepancies over the previous 18 months. The reason for the nose landing gear collapse could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Nose/tail landing gear › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear position and warning › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,697 hours in all; 948 in this make and model; 141 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 22,690 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 15, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,437.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 11, 2017
- Maximum gross weight: 7,500 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental GTISO520L4B (piston); 148 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental GTSIO520L4B (piston); 104 hours total
- Operator: Mabb Transport LLC
The flight
- Departed from: CTJ Carrollton GA at 4:20 pm
- Destination: OKZ Sandersville GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 13, 5,016 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,700 ft; clear at 3,700 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 5:30 pm from OKZ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 3, 2021. 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 |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Eyewitness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Logbook Excerpt | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Nose Landing Gear Actuator Bench Test E-mail | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo Array_airplane Damage | PDF, 6 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.