Cessna 401 crash, Jul 13, 2003 (4 killed), Gustavus
Cessna 401 accident on July 13, 2003 near Gustavus, Alaska, United States with 4 fatalities. Cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making...
- Date: July 13, 2003
- Aircraft: Cessna 401
- Location: Gustavus, Alaska, United States
- Fatalities: 4
- Phase of flight: En route
- Cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making and failure to refuel before fuel exhaustion, which led to total loss of engine power, with no suitable forced landing site available.
A private Cessna 401 carrying five passengers ran out of fuel on a long cross-country flight to Gustavus, Alaska, after the pilot repeatedly changed destinations and declined a closer alternate airport. The aircraft ditched in open water about 12 miles short of the destination. Four occupants died; two passengers survived by swimming to shore, and two occupants and the pilot were never found.