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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 18, 2010 · Cessna 421B · N3382Q

Artesia, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 18, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Artesia, NM
Aircraft
Cessna 421B
Tail Number
N3382Q
Operator
Earls Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA166

While on final approach to land, the left engine lost power, the airplane suddenly swerved to the left, and the airplane's descent rate increased. The pilot attempted a go-around and switched from the main fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank. The airplane struck a wire and impacted the ground, breaking the left wing spar and separating the right engine from the wing. A postimpact fire ensued around the right engine. During the postaccident examination of the wreckage, fuel was found in the right main tank and both auxiliary tanks. The left main tank was found intact and empty. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane and no anomalies were found with the engines or other airplane systems that would have prevented normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.

Full Narrative

On March 18, 2010, about 0800 mountain standard time, a Cessna 421B airplane, N3382Q, was substantially damaged following the loss of engine power during the approach to Artesia Municipal Airport (ATS), Artesia, New Mexico. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. The cross-country flight departed El Paso, Texas, approximately 0715. The commercial pilot stated he had filled both main and both auxiliary fuel tanks prior to a 2.7-hour flight. He estimated that this allowed for over 1.5 hours of fuel on board for the 39-minute accident flight. During the en route portion of the flight, the pilot switched the fuel tanks from the main fuel tanks to the auxiliary fuel tanks. During the descent to land, the pilot switched back to the main fuel tanks. While on short final the left engine quit, the airplane suddenly swerved to the left, and the descent rate increased. The pilot attempted a go around and switched from the main fuel tank to the auxiliary fuel tank. The airplane struck a wire and impacted in an open field, breaking the left wing spar and separating the right engine from the wing. A post impact fire ensued around the right engine. During the postaccident examination of the wreckage, fuel was found in the right main tank and both auxiliary tanks. The left main tank was found intact and empty. The pilot stated that he did not feel that there was anything wrong with the airplane. No anomalies were found with the engines or other airplane systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MDT
Nearest AirportArtesia Municipal Airport (0nm)
Runway03
Runway Length6301 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 421B
Tail NumberN3382Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEarls Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · GTSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating · 375 | Cont Motor · GTSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating · 375
Seats8

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C / 36 C
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data