Cessna 421 accident near Presque Isle, Maine, November 22, 2017
On November 22, 2017 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna 421, registered N421RX, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Presque Isle, Maine (Northern Maine Regional airport). It was flown under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The in-flight leakage of fuel from the fuel injection system's mixture shaft onto the hot turbocharger, which resulted in an in-flight fire, and the pilot's inability to see the runway due to reduced visibility conditions and conduct a successful landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 22, 2017 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Presque Isle, Maine · Northern Maine Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 421 C, built 1977 · all 421s on the register
- Registration
- N421RX · no longer on the register · serial 421C0264
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After takeoff, the commercial pilot saw flames coming from the left engine nacelle area. He retarded the throttle and turned off the fuel boost pump; however, the fire continued. He then feathered the propeller, shut down the engine, and maneuvered the airplane below the clouds to remain in the local traffic pattern. He attempted to keep the runway environment in sight while drifting in and out of clouds. He was unable to align the airplane for landing on the departure runway, so he attempted to land on another runway. When he realized that the airspeed was decreasing and that the airplane would not reach the runway, he landed it on an adjacent grass field. After touchdown, the landing gear separated, and the airplane came to a stop. The airframe sustained substantial damage to the wings and lower fuselage. Examination of the left engine revealed evidence of a fuel leak where the fuel mixture control shaft inserted into the fuel injector body, which likely resulted in fuel leaking onto the hot turbocharger in flight and the in-flight fire. A review of recent maintenance records did not reveal any entries regarding maintenance or repair of the fuel injection system. The pilot reported clouds as low as 500 ft with rain, snow, and reduced visibility at the time of the accident, which likely reduced his ability to see the runway and maneuver the airplane to land on it.
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
What happened, in order
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Attempted remediation/recovery during initial climb
- Part(s) separation from AC during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel controlling system › Damaged/degraded
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,482 hours in all; 3,620 in this make and model; 73 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days; 3,973 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,473 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 2, 2017; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor GTSIO-520-L (piston); 5,052 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor GTSIO-520-L (piston); 3,849 hours total
- Operator: Fresh Air LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PQI Presque Isle ME at 11:25 pm
- Destination: BGR Bangor ME
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 800 ft
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 11:47 pm from PQI
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 21, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Written Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Left Engine Logbook Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | NTSB Engine Examination Report | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.