# NTSB DEN88FA087: Cessna 421A, Albuquerque, NM, March 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1988, 18:01 local (Mar 26, 1988, 01:01 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0199° N, 106.5816° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from ALBUQUERQUE INTL SUNPORT (ABQ), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0199&lon=-106.5816&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17355
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17355/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA087

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel dumped - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND ONE PAX WERE ON A BUSINESS TRIP IN THE U.S. FROM CANADA. THE PLT HAD THE ACFT FUEL TANKS 'TOPPED OFF' PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM KANSAS CITY. THE FLT PLAN INDICATED 3 HOURS 30 MIN ENROUTE TO ALBUQUERQUE WITH 5 HOURS 30 MIN OF FUEL ON BOARD. STRONG ENROUTE WINDS AND TURBULENCE WERE FORECAST ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE ACTUAL FLIGHT WAS 4.4 HRS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE TURNING FROM BASE LEG TO FINAL AT THE ALBUQUERQUE INT'L ARPT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN OR AROUND THE AIRCRAFT. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS USING THE MAIN TANKS FOR 90 MINUTES BEFORE SWITCHING TO ANY AUX TANK TO PREVENT VENTING OF RETURN FUEL OVERBOARD. VENTED FUEL WILL DIMINISH FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGVDG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4210067
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-D 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Starcraft Aviation Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 23, 1987
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ABQ, Albuquerque Int'L, runway 30, 5,130 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,180 total, 91 in this make and model, 1,522 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 19 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 17 nm away

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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