# NTSB FTW95LA264: Cessna 404, N36998, Alamosa, CO, June 27, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1995, 18:55 local (Jun 27, 1995, 00:55 UTC) - Place: Alamosa, CO - Coordinates: 37.460136, -105.870223 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4601&lon=-105.8702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19472 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19472/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA264 ## Probable cause FBO PERSONNEL IMPROPERLY SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT WITH JET FUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - all engines - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect (cause) - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, fbo personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT INSTRUCTED THE LINEMAN TO SERVICE THE AIRPLANE WITH 50 GALLONS OF 100-LL AVIATION GASOLINE. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS REFUELED, THE PILOT DRAINED THE FUEL SUMPS AND NOTED A CLEAR, BLUE-COLORED FUEL THAT 'SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE.' SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. HE THEN MADE AN INTENTIONAL WHEELS-UP FORCED LANDING. BOTH THE FIXED BASE OPERATOR AND THE LINEMAN STATED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN INADVERTENTLY SERVICED WITH JET-A FUEL. THE PILOT NOTED THE FUEL TRUCK THAT SERVICED THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A JET FUEL NOZZLE, BUT UTILIZED A STRAIGHT TIP NOZZLE INSTEAD. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1995, approximately 1855 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 404, N36998, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Alamosa, Colorado. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The following is based on the pilot/operator report and a telephone interview with the pilot. The pilot instructed the lineman to service his airplane with 50 gallons of 100-LL aviation gasoline (25 gallons in each wing tank). After the airplane was refueled, the pilot drained the fuel tank sumps and noted a clear, blue-colored fuel that "smelled like gasoline." The pilot took off on runway 02 and after climbing 400 feet, both engines began losing power. The pilot turned around in an attempt to return to the airport, but was forced to make an intentional wheels-up landing on terrain 200 yards short of the runway. The pilot said both the fixed base operator and the lineman admitted inadvertently servicing the airplane with Jet-A fuel. The pilot said the fuel truck was not equipped with a jet fuel nozzle, but utilized a straight tip nozzle instead. The fixed base operator was contacted and he confirmed that his employee had inadvertently serviced the airplane with Jet-A fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N36998](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N36998-1999-01-28), registration cancelled 1999-01-28, S/N 404-0101 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 404 - Registry model: [Cessna 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-404) (registry code 2075901) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 404-0101 - Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-M 375 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Superior Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, June 5, 1995 - Departed: ALA - Destination: PUB, PUEBLO, CO - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,750 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 15 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALA, 1 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 19950626014929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950626014929A), Jun 26, 1995: Cessna 404CESSNA, Alamosa, CO, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on climbout. Landed gear up. Aircraft had been serviced with jet fuel. Pilot failed note knozzle. 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.