Jet-A Misfueling blamed for Cessna 421 accident
A Cessna 421C registered N28RH was refueled with 145 gallons of Jet‑A instead of avgas at Blytheville, Arkansas after the pilot requested only a top‑off and did not verify the fuel type before departure.
The fueler added about 70 gallons to the right wing and 75 gallons to the left wing; shortly after takeoff the right engine’s No. 1 cylinder ran hot, the engine was shut down and feathered, and the remaining engine deteriorated, leading to a loss of altitude and a forced landing in a cornfield about two miles from the departure airport.
The NTSB determined the probable cause was misfueling by the refueler, with the pilot’s failure to verify the fuel as a contributing factor.