# Accident 20090118000149A: Ryan NAVION, Three Forks, MT, January 18, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: January 18, 2009, 17:20 local time
- Place: Three Forks, MT
- Airport: Three Forks
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Approach
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 45.9033° N, 111.5297° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9033&lon=-111.5297&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4443K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4443K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Ryan NAVION (registry code 6150160, https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental I0-470 series (registry code 17027, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION
- Reported engine: CONT IO470*
- People aboard: 4
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 990 total, 30 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR09CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA092) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090118000149A

## Narrative

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

ON 01/18/09 AT 1501 LCL, AIRCRAFT N4443K, A RYAN NAVION, DEPARTED GILLETTE, WY (GCC) WITH FULL FUEL AND 4 SOLES ON BOARD BOUND FOR THREE FORKS, MT (9S5).  THE AIRCRAFT IS CONFIGURED WITH 2 AUX WINGTIP TANKS AND THE MAIN TANK SYSTEM.  THE PILOT SWITCHED FROM THE MAIN TANK TO A TIP TANK, AFTER TAKEOFF, AS PLANNED.  WHILE ENROUTE, HE SWITCHED TO THE OTHER TIP TANK WHEN THE FIRST RAN DRY.  THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS PLAN WAS TO SWITCH BACK TO THE MAIN TANK PRIOR TO LANDING; THAT HE FORGOT TO DO SO; AND THAT HE DID NOT USE A PRE-LANDING CHECKLIST.  AT 1720 LCL, ON A 2 MILE STRAIGHT-IN FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 20 AT 9S5, THE ENGINE QUIT AT PATTERN ALTITUDE.  THE PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE MAIN POSITION, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START QUICK ENOUGH AS HE LOST ALTITUDE.  IN PREPARATION FOR AN OFF-FIELD LANDING, THE PILOT SELECTED THE FUEL OFF POSITION AND VEERED TO HIS LEFT FOR AN OPEN PORTION OF A BRUSH AND GRASS FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON THE MAIN GEAR AND CAME TO A STOP IN 258 FEET; BEARING 115 DEGREES; INTO MATURE ALDER BRUSH.  THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AFT AND THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE PROP, ENGINE, COWL, WING LEADING EDGES AND THE R/H TIP TANK SEPARATED FROM THE WING.  NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY THE 4 OCCUPANTS.

## 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 WPR09CA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA092), Jan 19, 2009: Ryan Navion (N4443K), Three Forks, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel system management. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and failure to…

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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