Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II crash, Mar 14, 1980 (2 killed)
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II accident on March 14, 1980 near Tucson-Ryan, Arizona, United States with 2 fatalities. Cause: Airframe failure during climb...
- Date: March 14, 1980
- Aircraft: Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
- Location: Tucson-Ryan, Arizona, United States
- Fatalities: 2
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Airframe failure during climb due to inadequate maintenance and inspection. Elevator balance weights had not been reinstalled after maintenance, leading to flutter and separation of the elevator control rod.
On 14 March 1980 a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II, registration N59RZ, operated by Nolen Truly, took off from Tucson-Ryan on a post-maintenance test flight with a pilot and a mechanic aboard. Shortly after takeoff the aircraft went out of control in climb, crashed in a field and burned. Both occupants were killed.