# NTSB CEN10LA166: Cessna 421B, N3382Q, Artesia, NM, March 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 18, 2010, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Artesia, NM - Coordinates: 32.862295, -104.40122 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8623&lon=-104.4012&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 75539 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10LA166 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75539/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75539 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10LA166 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 421B, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2076014), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3382Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3382Q-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 421B0265, built 1972 (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 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-series) (registry code 17039, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 421B0265 - Engines: CONT MOTOR GTSIO-520 SER 375 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR GTSIO-520 SER 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Earls Aviation Inc - Registered owner: Earls Aviation Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2009 - Departed: ELP, El Paso, TX - Destination: KATS, Artesia, NM - Airport: KATS, Artesia Municipal Airport, runway 03, 6,301 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 11,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 11,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: ATS ## 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 20100318029579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100318029579A), Mar 18, 2010: Cessna 421B, Destroyed. On March 18, 2010, the pilot of N3382Q, a Cessna 421 aircraft, executed a go around at Artesia Municipal Airport (ats), Artesia, new Mexico. During the go… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 3, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75539. 585 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.