Cessna C421B N726JB

Summary

On 9 August 2015 at about 15:25 local time, a Cessna C421B registered N726JB was involved in an accident near Clovis, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 August 2015 at 15:25

Classification

Accident

Location

Clovis, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Clovis Municipal Airport (CVN)

Coordinates

34.4267, -103.0775

Aircraft

Cessna C421B

Registration

N726JB

Category

Airplane

Year built

1970

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Melrose → Clovis

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN15LA354

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's improper management of fuel to the left engine during approach for landing, which resulted in a total loss of left engine power due to fuel starvation, and his subsequent failure to maintain control during the final landing approach, which resulted in collision with terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot reported that he was approaching the airport for landing in the multi-engine airplane when both engines began to surge.  The pilot attempted to switch to the auxiliary fuel tanks, but inadvertently switched the left engine fuel selector to the off position. The left engine subsequently experienced a total loss of engine power. On final approach for landing, the airplane impacted terrain and was subsequently consumed by a postimpact fire; the fuel onboard the airplane at the time of the accident could not be determined. An examination of the airplane's engines and systems revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.