# Accident 20251118016389A: Cessna 401A, Fremont, NC, November 18, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 18, 2025, 12:01 local time
- Place: Fremont, NC
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.5707° N, 77.8724° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5707&lon=-77.8724&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6255Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6255Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 401A (registry code 207590D, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental GTSIO-520-C (registry code 17035, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-E
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot, student
- Pilot flight hours: 1,865 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA26LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA050) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251118016389A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL SURVEILLANCE WHEN THEY EXPERIENCED A DUAL ENGINE FAILURE AFTER SWITCHING FROM THE AUXILLARY FUEL TANKS TO THE MAIN FUEL TANKS RESULTING IN AN OFF-FIELD LANDING. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT, PROPELLERS, AND NOSE LANDING GEAR. THE ENGINES WERE NOT PROPERLY SECURED PRIOR TO LANDING. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT, THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THIS WAS EITHER PILOT ERROR NOR IS THERE A KNOWN REASON FOR THE MECHANICAL ISSUE OF THE DUAL ENGINE FAILURE.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA26LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA050), Nov 18, 2025: Cessna 401 (N6255Q), Eureka, NC, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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