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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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December 2, 1985 · Cessna 421B · N249JM

Franktown, CO

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 2, 1985
Injury Outcomes
6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Franktown, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N249JM
Operator
Thomas J Mccarthney
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN86FA033

THE ACFT DEPARTED NASHVILLE, TN, FOR A FLT TO ASPEN, CO. THE PLTS MADE ONE REFUELING STOP AT CHANUTE, KS. THE PLTS WERE UNABLE TO LAND AT ASPEN OR A NEARBY ALTERNATE ARPT (EAGLE, CO) AND ELECTED TO RETURN BACK TO THE DENVER AREA. THE PLTS INDICATED TO AN ARTCC CONTROLLER THAT THEY WERE LOW FUEL. BEFORE THEY COULD REACH AN ARPT THE PLT TOLD THE CONTROLLER THEY HAD ENG FAILURE AND THOUGHT THEY HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRICAL POWER POLE, POWER LINES AND THEN THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED 2 TO 3 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH MAIN FUEL TANK.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT DEPARTED NASHVILLE, TN, FOR A FLT TO ASPEN, CO. THE PLTS MADE ONE REFUELING STOP AT CHANUTE, KS. THE PLTS WERE UNABLE TO LAND AT ASPEN OR A NEARBY ALTERNATE ARPT (EAGLE, CO) AND ELECTED TO RETURN BACK TO THE DENVER AREA. THE PLTS INDICATED TO AN ARTCC CONTROLLER THAT THEY WERE LOW FUEL. BEFORE THEY COULD REACH AN ARPT THE PLT TOLD THE CONTROLLER THEY HAD ENG FAILURE AND THOUGHT THEY HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRICAL POWER POLE, POWER LINES AND THEN THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED 2 TO 3 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH MAIN FUEL TANK.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:32 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN249JM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas J Mccarthney
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-H · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury Summary6 injuries (4 serious injuries, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious4
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total6
Crew 1Age 64 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind50° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point1 C / 1 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data