Cessna 401 accident near Eureka, North Carolina, November 18, 2025
On November 18, 2025 at about 5:30 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 401, registered N6255Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Eureka, North Carolina. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. 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
- November 18, 2025 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Eureka, North Carolina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 401 A, built 1969 · all 401s on the register
- Registration
- N6255Q · registry record · serial 401A0055
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On November 18, 2025, at 12:30 eastern standard time, a Cessna 401A, N6255Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eureka, North Carolina. The commercial pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pilot reported that, prior to the flight, he had the airplane serviced with 124 gallons of fuel, topping off the fuel tanks. The pilot stated that the preflight inspection, takeoff, and climb to 17,000 ft were uneventful. During the flight, the pilot transferred the fuel in the locker tanks into the main fuel tanks; shortly after emptying the locker tanks, he switched to the auxiliary fuel tanks. The pilot stated that he utilized the auxiliary fuel tanks until they were at the 5-gallon mark on the fuel gauges. The pilot then switched to the main fuel tanks; shortly thereafter, he reported the left engine lost power. As he started performing the emergency checklist, the right engine lost power. After the losses of engine power, the pilot stated that he trimmed the airplane for 120 knots. The pilot determined he would be unable to reach his selected airport and decided to perform a forced landing in a field. The pilot lowered the landing gear and set the flaps to 10°. After landing on the field, the nose landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. According to the recovery personnel, about 2 gallons of fuel were drained from each auxiliary tank, and about 25 gallons were drained from each main fuel tank. The wreckage was recovered and retained for further examination.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: PGV Greenville NC at 2:22 pm
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 12:35 pm from KGWW, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KGWW 181735Z AUTO 10SM CLR 17/M03 A3020 RMK AO2 T01671032=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.