# NTSB DEN86FA033: Cessna 421B, N249JM, Franktown, CO, December 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1985, 17:32 local (Dec 2, 1985, 00:32 UTC)
- Place: Franktown, CO
- Coordinates: 39.379222, -104.750595 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3792&lon=-104.7506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED NASHVILLE, TN, FOR A FLT TO ASPEN, CO. THE PLTS MADE ONE REFUELING STOP AT CHANUTE, KS. THE PLTS WERE UNABLE TO LAND AT ASPEN OR A NEARBY ALTERNATE ARPT (EAGLE, CO) AND ELECTED TO RETURN BACK TO THE DENVER AREA. THE PLTS INDICATED TO AN ARTCC CONTROLLER THAT THEY WERE LOW FUEL. BEFORE THEY COULD REACH AN ARPT THE PLT TOLD THE CONTROLLER THEY HAD ENG FAILURE AND THOUGHT THEY HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. DURING THE EMERGENCY DESCENT THE ACFT STRUCK AN ELECTRICAL POWER POLE, POWER LINES AND THEN THE GROUND. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED 2 TO 3 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN EACH MAIN FUEL TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N249JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N249JM-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 421B0124, built 1971 (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: 421B80124
- Airframe hours: 6035
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas J. Mccarthney
- Registered owner: J & M Partners, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1985, 87 hours before
- Departed: CNU, CHANUTE, KS
- Destination: ASE, ASPEN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,200 total, 3 in this make and model, 7,900 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 1 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 135 nm away

## 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 19851201058519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851201058519A), Dec 1, 1985: Cessna 421B, Franktown, CO, Substantial damage. Strong headwinds, could not see aspen. Turned back to denver. Out of fuel. Hit powerlines, ground in a open field.

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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