# NTSB ANC89FA119: Cessna 207, N91052, 44 Nw Fairbanks, AK, July 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1989, 17:45 local (Jul 11, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: 44 Nw Fairbanks, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5116
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5116/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA119

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, INADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY, TURBULENCE, TAILWIND, TERRAIN CONDITIONS, AND TREES (WILLOWS) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sand bar
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT BEFORE REACHING HIS DESTN, THE ENG LOST POWER OVER WOODED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. HE TURNED THE ACFT BACK TO LAND DOWNWIND ON A SANDBAR, BUT OVERSHOT & TOUCHED DOWN IN WILLOWS. HE STATED THAT EARLIER, HE HAD FULLY SVCD THE PLANE & FLOWN IT 1 HR. HE CALCULATED THERE WAS 4 HRS OF FUEL REMAINING & THE FLT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY 2 HRS & 40 MIN. DRAINING OF THE FUEL TANKS AFTER THE ACDNT REVEALED THERE WAS 5 GAL IN THE LEFT WING TANK & LESS THAN 1 PINT IN THE RGT TANK. ACCORDING TO THE FLT MANUAL, THIS LEFT ONLY 1.5 GAL OF USABLE FUEL. THE PLT RPRTD THERE WAS LIGHT TURBC DURING THE FLT. CALCULATIONS REVEALED THE ACFT NEEDED AN ADNL 5.4 GAL OF FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N91052 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700039
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Larry'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: Larry'S Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FYU, FORT YUKON, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,315 total, 81 in this make and model, 81 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890710021549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890710021549A), Jul 10, 1989: Cessna 207, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route and overshot landing on a sandbar. Landing into trees.

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.

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