# NTSB ATL04CA125: Taylorcraft DC-65, N39190, Savannah, TN, June 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2004, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Savannah, TN - Coordinates: 35.458332, -88.216667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4583&lon=-88.2167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Memphis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, and the subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Approximately 5 nautical miles from the destination airport, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered for a forced landing to a hay field. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the airplane ran out of fuel. Examination of the wreckage site revealed that the wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the downed airplane. During the examination of the fuel system, approximately one ounce of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assemblies and accessories revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2004, at 1600 central daylight time, aTaylorcraft DC-65, N39190, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with the ground following a reported loss of engine power near Savannah, Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot received serious injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Dayton, Tennessee, on June 4, 2004 at 1240 eastern daylight time. According to friends of the pilot, he departed Dayton, Tennessee enroute to a resort location in Arkansas. The pilot stated that he departed with a total of 14 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel on board, and planned on making a refueling stop in Savannah, Tennessee. Approximately 5 nautical miles from the destination airport, the engine lost power. The pilot maneuvered for a forced landing to a hay field. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the airplane ran out of fuel. The downed airplane was located approximately 310 degrees magnetic, and 5 statute miles from the Savannah Hardin County Airport, Savannah, Tennessee. Examination of the wreckage site revealed that the wreckage debris was scattered in the immediate vicinity of the downed airplane. During the examination of the fuel system, approximately one ounce of fuel was recovered from the fuel system. Examination of the airframe, flight controls, engine assemblies and accessories revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N39190](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N39190), registered now, S/N 4197 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft DC-65 - Registry model: [Taylorcraft DC-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-dc-65) (registry code 8850402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4197 - Engines: Continental A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2004, 14 hours before - Departed: 2A3, Dayton, TN - Destination: SNH, Savannah, TN - Airport: SNH, Savannah Hardin County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 169 total, 11 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: MSL, 39 nm away ## 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 20040604017599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040604017599A), Jun 4, 2004: Tcrafk DC65TCRAFT, Savannah, TN, Destroyed. (-23) On June 4, 2004, aircraft N39190 crashed approximately 5 to 8 land miles from the hardin county airport in Savannah, TN. The pilot told the medical… 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.