N800SS

On October 10, 2000, approximately 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 401A, twin-engine airplane, N800SS, was substantially damaged during a hard landing near Andrews, Texas. The student pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, sustained serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from El Paso, Texas, at 1015 mountain daylight time, with a planned destination of Florida.

During a personal interview conducted by the FAA inspector, the student pilot (student certificate issued January 29, 1997) stated he received 77.9 gallons of fuel in El Paso, Texas, but did not visually check the fuel tanks after refueling. According to a fuel log from Cutter Aviation of El Paso, Texas, the pilot requested that "all four tanks be topped off." The fuel truck log indicates that 77.9 gallons of 100LL fuel were added to the accident aircraft on October 9, 2000.

According to witness statements, the airplane was observed on a "tight" right base "low approach" to runway 33 at Andrews County Airport. (Andrews County Airport is located approximately 190 nautical miles northeast of El Paso, Texas.) 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. Approximately 20 feet agl, the nose of the airplane started to pitch up and down, and the airplane fell to the runway."

One witness added he did not recall hearing any engine noise, and another witness reported hearing the engines "seem to quit." A witness at the accident site recalled the pilot stating that he "lost his engines" and that he "hit really hard."

According to the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, the initial ground scar on runway 33 was consistent with impact of the right wing fuel tip tank, which separated and exploded. Tire skid marks were observed along the length of the runway up to where the airplane came to rest between runway 33 and a taxiway. The left main landing gear and nose landing gear were found collapsed. The left wing tip fuel tank was compromised. Both auxiliary fuel tanks were found empty. Both fuel selector valves were found in the auxiliary tank position. The mixture controls were observed in a midrange position. The airplane did not receive post-crash fire damage.

The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that "the engines quit" during landing when the mixture controls were brought forward to the rich position. After being notified by the FAA inspector that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty and both fuel control valves were found in the auxiliary tank position, the pilot stated the aircraft had been sabotaged.

On October 12, 2000, two additional FAA inspectors examined the airplane for evidence of sabotage. The inspection revealed no evidence of sabotage to the aircraft, aircraft engines, and/or fuel supply.

Numerous attempts by the NTSB to contact the pilot were unsuccessful. Certified mail was unclaimed by the pilot, and he was not available at the listed telephone numbers.