20001010033989A

On October 10, 2000, approx. 1230 CDT, a Cessna 401A, a twin-engine air plane, N800SS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Andrews, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorolical conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 code of federal regualtion part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight orioginated from el paso, Texas, at 1015 MDT, with a planned destination of Florida. During a personal interview conducted by the FAA inspector, the student pilot (student certificate issued January 29, 1997) stated he received 77.9 gallons of fuel in el paso, Texas, but did not visually check the fuel tanks after refueling. According to a fuel log from cutter aviation of el paso, Texas, the pilot requested that "all four tanks be topped off". The fuel truck log indicated that 77.9 gallons of 100LL fuel were added to the accident a/c on octobver 9, 2000. According to witness statements, the airplane was observed on a "tight" right base "low approach" to runway 33 at Andrews County Airport. (Andrews County Airport is located approx. 190 nauti cal miles northeast of el paso, Texas.) Approx. one-quarter mile east of the runway, the airplane was observed in a "sharp 90 degree turn (right turn)north and (a) rapid descent to the runway. Approx. 20 feet AGL, the nose of the airplane started to pitch up and down, and the airplane fell to the runway. One witness added he did not recall hearing any engine noise, and another witness reported hearing the engines "seem to quit". A witness of the accident site recalled the pilot stating that he "lost his engines" and that he "hit really hard". According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the initial ground scar on runway 33 was consistent with impact of the right wing fuel tip tank, which separated and exploded. The skid marks were observed along the length of the runway up to where the airplane came to rest between runway 33 and a taxiway. The left main landing gear and nose landing gear were found collapsed. Teh left wing tip fuel tank was compromised. Both auxillary fuel tanks were found empty. Both fuel selector valves were found in the auxillary tank position. The mixture controls were observed in a midrange position. The airplane did not received post-crash fire damage. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the "engine quit" during landing when the mixture controls were brought forward to the rich position. After being notified by the FAA inspector that the auxillary fuel tanks were empty and both fuel control valves were found in the auxillary tank position, the pilot stated the a/c had been sabotaged. On October 12, 2000, two additional FAA isnpectors examined the airplane for evidence of sabotage. The inspection revealed no evidence of sabotage to the a/c, a/c engines, and/or fuel supply. Numerous attempts by the NTSB to contact the pilot were unsuccessful. Certified mail was unclaimed by the pilot, and he was not available at the listed telephone numbers. (-23)during the landing sequence for runway 33, the aircraft was witnessed making a low and tight right turn to final. The aircraft was observed on a rapid descent, pitching up and down. At approximately 20 feet above the runway, the aircraft on a right bank suddenly fell due to an apparent stalled condition. During the resulting hard landing, the right main wingtip fuel tank struck the runway, ruptured, exploded, and became detached from the wing. The fuel spill from the ruptured right main tank created a fire that ignited and burned on the runway surface. The nose and left main gear collapsed and the aircraft skidded off the runway, and came to rest between the runway and an adjacent taxiway. No additional post crash fire resulted. The pilot and sole occupant received minor back injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Post accident interview with the pilot indicated, that he operated the aircraft ar red line (VMC) minimum controllable airspeed, providing little marging for error. Pilot claims that engines power were lost when mixtures controls were brought forward to a rich position. Aircraft inspection after the accident showed the mixture controls set at a lean position.