Cessna 421A accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 26, 1988
On March 26, 1988 at about 1:01 am local time, a Cessna 421A, registered CGVDG, was destroyed in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico (Albuquerque Int'L airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 1988 · about 1:01 am local time
- Place
- Albuquerque, New Mexico · Albuquerque Int'L
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421A · all 421As on the register
- Registration
- CGVDG · no longer on the register · serial 4210067
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT AND ONE PAX WERE ON A BUSINESS TRIP IN THE U.S. FROM CANADA. THE PLT HAD THE ACFT FUEL TANKS 'TOPPED OFF' PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM KANSAS CITY. THE FLT PLAN INDICATED 3 HOURS 30 MIN ENROUTE TO ALBUQUERQUE WITH 5 HOURS 30 MIN OF FUEL ON BOARD. STRONG ENROUTE WINDS AND TURBULENCE WERE FORECAST ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE ACTUAL FLIGHT WAS 4.4 HRS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE TURNING FROM BASE LEG TO FINAL AT THE ALBUQUERQUE INT'L ARPT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN OR AROUND THE AIRCRAFT. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS USING THE MAIN TANKS FOR 90 MINUTES BEFORE SWITCHING TO ANY AUX TANK TO PREVENT VENTING OF RETURN FUEL OVERBOARD. VENTED FUEL WILL DIMINISH FUEL SUPPLY.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,180 hours in all; 91 in this make and model; 1,522 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, November 23, 1987
- Maximum gross weight: 6,840 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental GTSIO-520-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MKC Kansas City MO at 8:46 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 30, 5,130 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 19 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from ABQ, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.