FlightFinder
Check my flight
1 fatality

Pilot Fatally Injured in Ferry Flight Accident Following Engine Fire and Wrong Engine Shutdown (N3271Q)

New Port Richey, United States of AmericaLanding (descent or approach)

On April 23, 1992, a Cessna 401 (registration N3271Q) operated by Howard F. Arends was involved in an aviation accident near New Port Richey, United States of America during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vs) while maneuvering for a forced landing following an in flight left engine fire for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's inadvertent shutdown of the wrong engine. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot was fatally injured after a left engine fire during a VFR ferry flight led to a loss of control and collision with terrain. Investigation revealed the pilot failed to maintain airspeed and shut down the wrong engine.

Accident Sequence

The accident occurred during a ferry flight conducted under visual flight rules (VFR). The aircraft departed without the required ferry permit. Witnesses reported seeing the airplane returning to the airport at an altitude of approximately 150 to 500 feet. The airplane was observed initiating a left turn with the landing gear extended. Simultaneously, a fire was visible in the vicinity of the left engine exhaust. The airplane then entered a steep descending left turn before it disappeared from sight below the tree line and subsequently collided with terrain. The impact destroyed the airplane and resulted in fatal injuries to the pilot.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the pilot in command failed to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering for a forced landing following an in-flight left engine fire. The underlying cause of the engine fire could not be determined. Additionally, the investigation found that the pilot inadvertently shut down the wrong engine, which was a contributing factor to the accident.

Probable cause

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain airspeed (vs) while maneuvering for a forced landing following an in flight left engine fire for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the pilot in command's inadvertent shutdown of the wrong engine.
In-flight fire & smoke

More accident analyses