NTSB Report: Misfueling Causes Cessna 421 Crash in Kentucky
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published its conclusive report on the crash of a Cessna 421C (registration N28RH) near Fulton, Kentucky, on August 21, 2026. The NTSB concluded that the aircraft lost power mid-flight due to being erroneously fueled with 145 gallons of Jet-A, instead of the required 100LL aviation gasoline. This grave mistake resulted in injuries to all four passengers, with two of them sustaining serious injuries.
The incident unfolded shortly after the aircraft took off from Arkansas International Airport (KBHY) in Blytheville. The pilot noticed the right engine overheating and subsequently shut it down, intending to divert to a nearby airport. However, the left engine also started to fail. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot was forced to land in a cornfield approximately two miles from Fulton Airport. The emergency landing caused significant damage to the aircraft’s engine mount, fuselage, and empennage.
The NTSB identified the main cause of the accident as the misfueling by the ground refueler, who incorrectly assumed the aircraft required Jet-A fuel. This assumption was based on the fact that pilots who usually request 100LL fuel use a nearby self-service pump. The pilot’s failure to verify the type of fuel before departure was also a contributing factor. Despite having signed a fuel receipt clearly marked “Jet-A,” the pilot admitted that the team was in a hurry to get home and departed without checking the fuel tanks. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of confirming fuel type during preflight as a pilot’s crucial last line of defense.
Source: AVweb – Jet-A Misfueling Blamed For Cessna 421 Accident (October 2026)