4 fatal · CESSNA 421C · 2014-08-28 · Las Cruces, NM, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN14FA462
Event ID
20140827X25654
Type
Accident
Date
2014-08-28
Location
Las Cruces, NM, USA
Coordinates
32.255832, -106.982223
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
CESSNA
Model
421C
Registration
N51RX
FAR Part
135
Engines
2
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The misfueling of the airplane with jet fuel instead of the required aviation fuel, and the resultant detonation and a total loss of engine power during initial climb. Contributing to the accident were the line service technician's inadvertent misfueling of the airplane, the pilot's inadequate supervision of the fuel servicing, and the fixed-base operator's use of a small fuel nozzle on its jet fuel truck.