# Accident 20030713037269A: Cessna 401A, Gustavus, AK, July 13, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 13, 2003, 21:33 local time
- Place: Gustavus, AK
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 58.4311° N, 135.7125° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4311&lon=-135.7125&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6296Q, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6296Q-2004-04-29) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 401A (registry code 207590D, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Reported engine: CONT TSIO520*
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 4
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA076) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030713037269A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) AT APPROXIMATELY 2130 ALASKA STANDARD TIME A CE-401-A AIRCRAFT DITCHED IN THE WATER APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES E OF GUSTAVUS, AK. THE PILOT CONTACTED ANC CENTER REPORTING FUEL EXHAUSTION. AFTER IMPACT WITH THE WATER THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED UPRIGHT AND AFLOAT FOR APPROX. 2 MINUTES ACCORDING TO 2 SURVIVORS. ALSO ACCORDING TO THESE 2 SURVIVORS 4 PEOPLE (INCLUDING THE 2 SURVIVORS INTERVIEWED) MANAGED TO EGRESS THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO IT'S SINKING, AND 2 PEOPLE DID NOT EGRESS. ONE OF THOSE WHO EGRESSED WAS THE PILOT, GARY OSTLER ALONG WITH HIS 18 YEAR OLD SON. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN, AND HAD LEFT PORT ANGELES, WA WITH A PLANNED FUEL STOP IN KETCHIKAN. ACCORDING TO SURVIVOR'S STATEMENTS THE AIRCRAFT'S LAST STOP BEFORE THE ACCIDENT WAS PORT ANGELES. BASED ON THIS STATEMENT THE PLANNED FUEL STOP WAS EVIDENTLY BYPASSED. THE SURVIVORS MADE SHORE AFTER APPROX. 1.5 HOURS OF SWIMMING. THE PILOT AND HIS SON WERE LAST SEEN AFLOAT WITH A DUFFLE BAG FOR FLOATATION ASSISTANCE BY THE 2 INTERVIEWED SURVIVORS. COAST GUARD IS CONTINUING THE SEARCH FOR THESE OTHER TWO SURVIVORS. THE AIRCRAFT IS PRESUMED LOST WITH 2 PEOPLE STILL ON BOARD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC03LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA076), Jul 14, 2003: Cessna 401 (N6296Q), Gustavus, AK, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision making process, and failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. A factor associated with the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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