# NTSB ANC99LA091: Cessna 337B, N5499S, Seldovia, AK, July 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 11, 1999, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Seldovia, AK - Coordinates: 59.390777, -151.659332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3908&lon=-151.6593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46773 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46773/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - other ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot reported that during his preflight inspection, he noted that the cockpit fuel quantity indicators indicated that both main tanks were about one-quarter full. The pilot stated that he did not climb up on the wings and verify the remaining fuel quantity in the main fuel tanks, but planned to make the short flight to Homer, Alaska, to purchase fuel. He said that just after departure from runway 34, about 500 feet msl, both engines began to run rough, followed by a total loss of engine power. He subsequently made a gear-up, forced landing on a tidal beach. During the forced landing, the left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane landed hard on the beach. A responding Alaska State Trooper discovered that both the left and right main fuel tanks were dry. He added that the left auxiliary fuel tank appeared to have a 'minimal amount of fuel left, and the right auxiliary fuel tank was empty.' The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. ## Factual narrative On July 11, 1999, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 337B airplane, N5499S, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Seldovia Airport, Seldovia, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. During a conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on August 13, the pilot reported that three days before the accident, he parked the airplane with the main fuel tanks about one-half full. He said that on the day of the accident, during his preflight inspection, he noted that the cockpit fuel quantity indicators indicated that both main tanks were about one-quarter full. The pilot stated that he did not climb up on the wings and verify the remaining fuel quantity in the main fuel tanks, but planned to make the short flight to Homer, Alaska, to purchase fuel. He said that just after departure from runway 34, about 500 feet msl, both engines began to run rough, followed by a total loss of engine power. He indicated that he turned the airplane 180 degrees, but did not have sufficient altitude to return to the runway, and made a gear-up, forced landing on a tidal beach. During the forced landing, the left wing struck a stand of trees, and the airplane landed hard on the beach. The pilot added that the flight was accomplished with the fuel selector valve on the main fuel tanks, and that both auxiliary fuel tanks were empty, and not in use. An Alaska State Trooper who responded to the accident site, arrived on scene about one hour after the accident. He reported that upon his arrival, both the left and right main fuel tanks were "dry." He added that the left auxiliary fuel tank appeared to have a "minimal amount of fuel left, and the right auxiliary fuel tank was empty." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5499S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5499S-2008-10-24), registration cancelled 2008-10-24, S/N 337-0599, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 337B - Registry model: [Cessna 337B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337b) (registry code 2075706) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 337-0599 - Engines: Continental IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vic J. Brown Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SOV, AK - Destination: HOM, HOMER, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 7,500 total, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 5 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °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 19990711008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990711008699A), Jul 11, 1999: Cessna 337B, Seldovia, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances while en route and sustained substantial damage. (.19) on July 11, 1999, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a wheel… ## Other investigations on N5499S (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 MKC74FCG36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74FCG36), May 18, 1974: Cessna 337 (N5499S), Leawood, KS, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.