The Right Wing Impacted A Permanent Static Display On Airport Property, A U.S. Air Force T-33A Jet Trainer 

Location: Muskogee, OK Accident Number: CEN25LA051
Date & Time: November 27, 2024, 00:08 Local Registration: N5757C
Aircraft: Cessna 340 Injuries: 1 Serious, 4 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On November 27, 2024, about 0008 central standard time, a Cessna 340A airplane, N5757C, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Muskogee, Oklahoma. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the four passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported the purpose of the personal cross-country flight was to visit family. Prior to departure, he reported that the airplane was “topped off” with 100 low lead fuel. A preliminary review of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data showed that the airplane departed from the Mission Field Airport (LVM), Livingston, Montana, about 1840, on November 26, 2024. The airplane traveled nonstop, via an instrument flight rules flight plan, to its intended destination of the Muskogee-Davis Regional Airport (MKO), Muskogee, Oklahoma.

Before arriving to MKO, the air traffic controller cleared the airplane for a visual approach to runway 13. Shortly after, the pilot reported a loss of engine power occurred with both engines. The pilot attempted to restart both engines to no avail. During the forced landing, the right wing impacted a permanent static display on airport property, a U.S. Air Force T-33A jet trainer (manufactured by Lockheed, serial number 53-4971). The static display is located about 3,350 feet to the northwest of the approach end of runway 13. During the impact sequence, about half of the right wing of the Cessna 340A became separated, and the empennage of the U.S. Air Force T-33A became separated. The airplane came to rest upright on a flat grass field on airport property, near the static display. The pilot and the four passengers (one adult and three minor age children) were able to egress from the airplane without further incident.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site to a secure location for a future examination. The pressurized airplane was equipped with two Continental Motors TSIO-520-NB reciprocating engines and two McCauley 3AF32C93 three-blade controllable pitch aluminum propellers. According to historical Cessna documents, the airplane was originally delivered with two main fuel tanks (51 gallons total each tank and 50 gallons usable each tank), two auxiliary fuel tanks (32 gallons total each tank and 31.5 gallons usable each tank), and one left side locker fuel tank (20.5 gallons total and 20 gallons usable). The right side locker fuel tank was not installed.

For November 26, 2024, near the accident site, sunset was at 1709, and the end of civil twilight was at 1737. For November 27, 2024, near the accident site, moonrise was at 0346. The moon was not above the horizon at the time of the accident.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov