# NTSB BFO91LA013: Cessna 421B, N69900, Morganfield, KY, October 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1990, 10:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Morganfield, KY
- Coordinates: 37.210269, -86.700752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2103&lon=-86.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 6, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA013

## Probable cause

LOST OF POWER OF BOTH ENGINES DUE TO THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS AT 22,000 FT WHEN THE LEFT ENGINE LOST POWER. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE RIGHT ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DID NOT TRY TO RESTART THE ENGINES. HE UNSUCCESSFULLY TRIED TO GLIDE TO A NEARBY AIRPORT AND LANDED IN A CORNFIELD. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED ABOUT ONE GALLON OF FUEL TOTAL IN THE RIGHT TANKS AND ABOUT 85 GALLONS OF FUEL TOTAL IN THE LEFT TANKS. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINES DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69900](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69900-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 421B0532, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B-0532
- Airframe hours: 4323
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H2 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chimera Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1990, 100 hours before
- Departed: JWN, NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: DSM, DES MOINE, IA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,765 total, 110 in this make and model, 1,624 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19901007044369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901007044369A), Oct 7, 1990: Cessna 421B, Morganfield, KY, Substantial damage. Lost both engines,stalled en route. Landed in cornfield,both props feathered, right tanks empty. Fuel in left tank.

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.

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