Middlesboro-Bell County Airport

10/18/2026

N3706N Mooney M-20 Stanfield, North Carolina

September 1, 2026, 17:00 Local

2 No Injuries

CPL/Instructor - 539.9 hours (Total, all aircraft), 14.2 hours (Total, this make and model)

As the airplane approached the destination airport nearing the conclusion of 2 ½ hour-long cross-country flight the pilot reported that the airplane's engine lost power. He attempted to restore engine power by manipulating the engine's controls but was unsuccessful. He subsequently performed a forced landing to uneven terrain, and during the landing the airplane's landing gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He also stated that following the accident, he observed the airplane's left fuel tank was empty and realized that he had not repositioned the fuel selector from the left fuel tank following the loss of engine power (the right wing fuel tank was full). Given this information, the loss of engine power was likely the result of fuel starvation.

Probable Cause and Findings:
The pilot's failure to adequately manage the available fuel onboard the airplane, which resulted in a total loss of power due to fuel starvation and a forced landing on uneven terrain.

10/16/2026

10/06/2026

N28RH Cessna 421 Fulton, Kentucky

August 21, 2026, 13:00 Local

2 Serious, 2 Minor Injuries

CPL

The pilot of the reciprocating, multi-engine airplane reported that, after takeoff while climbing to altitude, the #1 cylinder on the right engine was running hot. He leveled the airplane at 5,000 mean sea level (msl), but the cylinder continued to run hot, so he elected to feather the propeller and shut down the engine. As he attempted to navigate to an airport, he noticed that the other engine was beginning to deteriorate and he was no longer able to maintain altitude. He attempted to increase power on the remaining engine but about 2 miles from the airport he performed a forced landing to a cornfield. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right engine mount, fuselage, and empennage as a result.

A first responder on scene sampled fuel from one of the airplane's fuel tanks with a paper towel and reported that the fuel did not have any color to it. She also reported that the fuel smelled like diesel fuel. A postaccident interview with the fueler at the departure airport confirmed that he had topped off the airplane with “pre-mixed Jet-A.” The airport manager at the departure airport confirmed that the fueler used Jet-A fuel when filling the airplane. A fuel receipt was provided by the airport manager, and was signed by the pilot, that showed the airplane had been fueled with 145 gallons of Jet-A.

In an interview with the pilot, he reported that he did not specifically tell the fueler that he wanted 100LL in the airplane. He also stated that he did read the fuel receipt after fueling and that they “wanted to get home” so they “got in the airplane and left.” The pilot did not inspect or sample fuel from the airplane's tanks after the fuel was added.

Probable Cause and Findings:
The misfuelling of the airplane by the refueler. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to verify that the airplane had been properly fueled prior to departing on the accident flight.

09/21/2026

N505CP C182T Fredericksburg, Virginia

June 13, 2026, 12:15 Local

3 No Injuries

CPL/Instructor - 4713 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1461 hours (Total, this make and model)

The pilot reported that, while taxing from the ramp to the runway, he became distracted by a helicopter to the right and perpendicular to the airplane. While he observed the helicopter, the pilot inadvertently taxied into a grassy area and subsequently impacted a drainage pipe. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the accident.

Probable Cause and Findings:
Distraction during taxi, which resulted in a taxiway excursion.