Casualties unknown

On-Demand Cargo Airplane Impacts Terrain During Visual Approach to Alternate Airport (N408TE)

New Century, KS, US

On September 18, 2004, a Cessna 401 (registration N408TE) operated by Telesys Transair Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near New Century, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during approach to an alternate airport. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

An on-demand cargo airplane, not on a flight plan, struck terrain during a visual approach to a second alternate airport after encountering a strong gust. Post-accident fuel examination revealed near-empty auxiliary fuel tanks and a broken left main tank with no fuel.

Event Details

The on-demand cargo airplane was not operating on a flight plan when it impacted terrain during a visual approach to a second alternate airport. The pilot had diverted from the original destination due to convective weather and then from the first alternate for the same reason.

Pilot Report

The pilot stated that during a visual approach to the second alternate airport, he encountered a "very strong" gust 25-50 feet above ground level that blew the airplane "well" to the left side of the runway. He attempted a go-around and applied full engine power but "it felt like" the engine(s) did not develop full power.

Fuel Examination

After the accident, the left main fuel tank was broken open and contained no fuel. The right main fuel tank contained 27 gallons of fuel. Both fuel selectors were positioned to their respective auxiliary fuel tanks. The left auxiliary fuel tank contained 1.2 gallons of fuel, and the right auxiliary fuel tank contained 0.5 gallons of fuel.

Propeller and Equipment

The left engine propeller separated from the left engine and displayed torsional bending and twisting. The right propeller remained attached to the right engine and did not display evidence of torsional bending and twisting. The airplane was not equipped with weather detection equipment.

Regulatory Compliance

There was no record that the pilot obtained a weather briefing or filed a flight plan prior to departure for the destination airport as required by company and Federal Aviation Regulations.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040923X01486. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.