Pilot Reported A Cylinder Temperature Issue, And Requested A Divert To Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (SBS)

Location: Steamboat Springs, CO Accident Number: CEN24FA228
Date & Time: June 17, 2024, 16:23 Local Registration: N245T
Aircraft: Cessna 421 Injuries: 2 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On June 17, 2024, about 1623 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 421C airplane, N245T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data captured the airplane as it departed Vance Brand Airport (LMO), Longmont, Colorado, about 1515 and was en route to Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD), Ogden, Utah. Combined with a preliminary review of air traffic control (ATC) audio, when the airplane was in the vicinity of Yampa, Colorado, the pilot reported a cylinder temperature issue, and requested a divert to Steamboat Springs Airport/Bob Adams Field (SBS), Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The airplane overflew SBS and requested a divert to Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL), Fort Collins/Loveland, Colorado. While flying towards FNL, the pilot reported to ATC that they had just lost the left engine and ATC cleared the pilot back to SBS for a landing.

An employee at the fixed base operator at SBS was monitoring the universal communications (UNICOM) frequency and reported the pilot radioed a 4-mile final for Runway 16 and shortly after reported on the base leg for runway 32. While on the base to final turn for runway 32, the airplane was observed by witnesses to enter a flat, spiraling descent and impact terrain. A post impact fire ensued and consumed a majority of the airplane.

The airplane impacted terrain between two mobile homes in a trailer park about 0.4 miles from the approach end of runway 32. The airplane came to rest on a 180° magnetic heading and impact signatures were consistent with the airplane impacting in a near horizontal attitude. The main wreckage consisted of the entire airplane and both engines and all components remained relatively attached to the airplane. The propeller blades on the left engine appeared to be in the feathered position. Most of the cockpit instrumentation and avionics devices were consumed by the post impact fire.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov