What happened
On May 22, 2009, a Cessna 320D, registration N320KP, crashed while attempting to land at Fallon Municipal Airport (FLX) in Fallon, Nevada. The flight had departed from Fresno, California, earlier that evening.
Witnesses observed the aircraft approaching the airport from the southwest. The aircraft was seen performing a right 2-7-0-degree turn to establish itself on the downwind leg for runway 21. During the base turn, the airplane made a sharp left turn and descended out of sight. Shortly thereafter, witnesses reported seeing a fireball in the area of the accident.
Radar data showed the aircraft crossed the runway centerlines at approximately 700 feet above ground level. As the aircraft progressed on the downwind leg, radar returns indicated the altitude dropping to approximately 240 feet. The final radar contact recorded the aircraft at a ground speed of 106 knots, about half a mile southeast of the runway 21 threshold.
The aircraft impacted the terrain in a left-wing-low and nose-low attitude, resulting in 4 fatal injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the impact and subsequent post-crash fire.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found a debris path approximately 124 feet long. The landing gear was found in the extended position, and the flaps were extended to approximately 12 degrees.
An examination of the fuel system revealed that the left fuel selector valve was set to the left main tank, while the right fuel selector valve was set to cross-feed, drawing fuel from the left main tank. While the right main and right auxiliary tanks were consumed by fire, the left auxiliary tank remained uncompromised and contained approximately 2.5 gallons of fuel.
Both engines were examined by Teledyne Continental Motors personnel. The left engine was successfully run in a test cell with no anomalies found. The right engine sustained thermal damage from the fire, but disassembly revealed no mechanical issues that would have prevented normal operation.