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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 15, 2000 · Cessna 404 · N26SA

Lansing, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 15, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lansing, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 404
Tail Number
N26SA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI00LA114

The pilot was departing from Lansing, Michigan, when he reported engine problems. The aircraft subsequently lost power to both engines. Fuel receipts were found that indicate that the aircraft was serviced with 25 gallons of jet fuel in each wing tank. No preexisting anomalies were found with regard to the aircraft or its systems. An FAA inspector interviewed the person that had fueled the aircraft and that person stated he had used a JET-A fuel truck to fuel the accident aircraft. The inspector also interviewed the safety director of the company that provided the fueling service. The safety director told the inspector that the fuel truck used to fuel the accident aircraft was found to have a small nozzle installed on one of the hoses and not the wide nozzle used on jet fueling trucks. He also said that, '...the small nozzle was used for the purpose of fueling tugs at the airport and that the small nozzles were immediately removed from all jet refueling trucks so that this could not happen again.'

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to improper fuel. Also causal was the improper aircraft service by the fixed base operator personnel and the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing encountered by the pilot. Factors were the improper grade of fuel and the lack of suitable terrain for the landing.

Full Narrative

On April 15, 2000, at 0743 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 404, N26SA, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an off airport forced landing following a loss of power on both engines, after takeoff from the Capital City Airport, Lansing, Michigan. The cargo flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 135 and was on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was en route to Caro, Michigan. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a postaccident examination of the aircraft. Fuel receipts were found that indicate that the aircraft was serviced with 25 gallons of jet fuel in each wing tank. No preexisting anomalies were found with regard to the aircraft or its systems. A FAA inspector interviewed the person that had fueled the aircraft and that person admitted that he had used a JET-A fuel truck to fuel the accident aircraft. The inspector also interviewed the safety director of the company that provided the fueling service. The safety director told the inspector that the fuel truck used to fuel the accident aircraft was found to have a small nozzle installed on one of the hoses and not the wide nozzle used on jet fueling trucks. He also said that, "...the small nozzle was used for the purpose of fueling tugs at the airport and that the small nozzles were immediately removed from all jet refueling trucks so that this could not happen again." The FAA inspector had line services put equal amounts of JET-A and 100LL aviation gasoline in a container. According to the inspector's statement, "when JET-A and 100LL gas is mixed the blue color remains quite visible and the predominant smell is that of 100LL gas."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:43 EDT
Nearest AirportCapital City Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 404
Tail NumberN26SA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · GTSIO-520-M2 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 7 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 3600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 54
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:42
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data