Casualties unknown

1990-10-07: Cessna 421B (N69900) — Morganfield, KY

Morganfield, KY, US

On October 7, 1990, a Cessna 421B (registration N69900) was involved in an aviation accident near Morganfield, KY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: LOST OF POWER OF BOTH ENGINES DUE TO THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced loss of power in both engines at 22,000 feet. The pilot attempted to glide to a nearby airport but ultimately landed in a cornfield. Fuel imbalance was found, but no mechanical issues were identified.

Incident Overview

An aircraft encountered a dual engine failure while cruising at an altitude of 22,000 feet. The left engine lost power first, followed shortly by the right engine. The pilot did not attempt to restart the engines, instead focusing on gliding toward a nearby airport. The glide attempt was unsuccessful, and the aircraft executed a forced landing in a cornfield.

Post-Event Examination

Following the landing, investigators examined the aircraft and its systems. The fuel quantities were measured: the right fuel tanks contained approximately one gallon of fuel in total, while the left tanks held about 85 gallons. This significant fuel imbalance was noted. The engines underwent detailed inspection, which revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure.

Conclusion

The exact cause of the engine power losses was not determined from the available evidence. The investigation did not identify any mechanical issues that would explain the loss of power. The fuel discrepancy between the left and right tanks may be relevant, but no causal link was established.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X24420. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.