Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 421 near Houston, TX — 2022-05-06

Final reportCEN22LA190
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Date
2022-05-06
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Airport
HOU
Aircraft
CESSNA 421
Registration
XB-FQS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The fixed-base operator’s incorrect fueling of the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power in both engines.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, before the flight, the airplane was fueled with 140 gallons of Jet A fuel. Shortly after takeoff, both engines lost total power. Because the airplane had insufficient altitude to return to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a field and the left wing sustained substantial damage. A postcrash fire ensued. The investigation determined that the airplane was inadvertently fueled with Jet A fuel rather than AVGAS, which was required for the airplane’s reciprocating engines. The line service worker who fueled the airplane reported that there were no decals at the airplane fuel ports; however, postaccident examination of the airplane found that a decal specifying AVGAS was present at the right-wing fuel port. The investigation could not determine whether the same or a similar decal was present at the left-wing fuel port because the left wing was partially consumed during the postimpact fire.)

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when feeling weird during the roll.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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