Cessna 401A accident near Andrews, Texas, October 10, 2000
On October 10, 2000 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Cessna 401A, registered N800SS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Andrews, Texas (Andrews County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The hard landing due to the pilot's excessive rate of descent. A factor was the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper positioning of the fuel selectors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 10, 2000 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Andrews, Texas · Andrews County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 401A · all 401As on the register
- Registration
- N800SS · no longer on the register · serial 401A0131
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported observing the airplane on a 'tight' right base, 'low approach' to runway 33. Approximately one-quarter mile east of the runway, the airplane was observed in a 'sharp 90-degree turn (right turn) north and [a] rapid descent to the runway.' The airplane's right wing tip impacted the runway, and the airplane exited the runway and came to rest upright between the runway and a taxiway. A witness recalled the pilot stating that he 'lost his engines' and that he 'hit really hard.' One witness stated he did not recall hearing any engine noise, and another witness reported hearing the engines 'quit.' The right wing tip fuel tank was destroyed. The left wing tip fuel tank was compromised. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. Both fuel selector valves were in the auxiliary tank position. Numerous attempts to contact the pilot were unsuccessful.
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: student
- Flight time: 32 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental GTSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ELP El Paso TX at 4:15 pm
- Destination: E11 TX
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 33, 5,815 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from MAF, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.