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NTSB Report
March 14, 1986 · Cessna 401 · N9867F
Silver City, NM
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 1986
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Silver City, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 401
Tail Number
N9867F
Operator
Flying a Flight Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86FA099
THE 2 COM RATED PLTS WERE RETURNING FROM A PART 135 FLT AT NIGHT. THE FUEL TANKS WERE INADVERTENTLY NOT SWITCHED FROM MAINS TO AUX. FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED WHEN ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO RESTART THE ENGINES. ACFT IMPACTED GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE ACFT.
Full Narrative
THE 2 COM RATED PLTS WERE RETURNING FROM A PART 135 FLT AT NIGHT. THE FUEL TANKS WERE INADVERTENTLY NOT SWITCHED FROM MAINS TO AUX. FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED WHEN ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO RESTART THE ENGINES. ACFT IMPACTED GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:07 MST
Nearest AirportWhiskey Creek (3nm SSW)
Runway35
Runway Length3700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 401
Tail NumberN9867F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFlying a Flight Service
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats8
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind270° @ 8 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO