# NTSB DEN86FA099: Cessna 401, N9867F, Silver City, NM, March 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1986, 20:07 local (Mar 14, 1986, 02:07 UTC)
- Place: Silver City, NM
- Coordinates: 32.779266, -108.260406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7793&lon=-108.2604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - , pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 2 COM RATED PLTS WERE RETURNING FROM A PART 135 FLT AT NIGHT. THE FUEL TANKS WERE INADVERTENTLY NOT SWITCHED FROM MAINS TO AUX. FUEL STARVATION OCCURRED WHEN ACFT WAS AT LOW ALTITUDE. INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE REMAINED TO RESTART THE ENGINES. ACFT IMPACTED GROUND. A POST ACCIDENT FIRE ERUPTED DESTROYING THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9867F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9867F-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 4010301 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401
- Airframe hours: 5990
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Flying A Flight Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: 94E, SILVER CITY, NM
- Airport: 94E, Whiskey Creek, runway 35, 3,700 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 16,400 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 171 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19860313008189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860313008189A), Mar 13, 1986: Cessna 401, Silver City, NM, Substantial damage. Distraction during the approach caused pilots to not switch fuel tanks. Engine quit at low altitude at night.

## Other investigations on N9867F (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 FTW82DA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA344), Aug 23, 1982: Cessna 401A (N9867F), Silver City, NM, substantial damage

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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