NTSB Report: Incorrect Fueling Led to Cessna 421C Crash in Kentucky
A recent final report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that a Cessna 421C crashed near Fulton, Kentucky on August 21, 2026, due to being fueled with 145 gallons of Jet-A instead of the necessary 100LL aviation gasoline. The piston-powered twin-engine aircraft, registered as N28RH, departed from Arkansas International Airport (KBHY) in Blytheville and encountered issues when both engines began losing power shortly after takeoff.
The NTSB’s investigation revealed that the fueler assumed the aircraft required Jet-A because avgas customers at the airport typically use a nearby self-service pump. The pilot, however, did not explicitly request 100LL. Complicating matters, the pilot noticed “Jet-A” printed on the fuel receipt but chose to depart regardless, due to the group’s haste to return home. When both engines failed and maintaining altitude became impossible, the pilot executed a forced landing in a cornfield approximately two miles from Fulton Airport. The aircraft sustained significant damage to its right engine mount, fuselage, and empennage. Two occupants suffered serious injuries while two others sustained minor injuries.
In the aftermath, the airport dismissed the fueler and has since implemented mandatory forms requiring pilots to specify both fuel type and quantity. The NTSB’s report serves as a stark reminder that misfueling is one of general aviation’s most avoidable — and perilous — errors.
Source: Flying Magazine – NTSB: Misfueling Led to Cessna 421 Crash