# NTSB ATL85LA208: Cessna T303, N9718T, Shelby, NC, July 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1985, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, NC
- Coordinates: 35.279346, -81.540367 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2793&lon=-81.5404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85LA208

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,oil - leak
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RWY 23, HE NOTICED OIL COMING FROM THE LEFT ENG. HE INITIATED A TURN TO LAND ON RWY 05 BUT WAS UNABLE TO LINE UP WITH THE RWY. HE ELECTED TO GO-AROUND AND WHEN HE ADDED FULL POWER THE LEFT ENG OIL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO PSI. THE PLT FEATHERED THE LEFT ENG AND A SINGLE ENG GO-AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED. THE LANDING GEAR AND FLAPS WERE NOT RETRACTED AND THE ACFT CRASHED 2 MILES NE OF THE ARPT AND WAS DESTROYED BY POST CRASH FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE OIL LEAK COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE EXTENT OF THE FIRE DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9718T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9718T-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N T30300039 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300039
- Airframe hours: 651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-AE 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Eugene F. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1985, 69 hours before
- Departed: EHO, SHELBY, NC
- Airport: EHO, Shelby Municipal, runway 23, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,355 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 20 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 19850709030389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850709030389A), Jul 9, 1985: Cessna T303, Shelby, NC, Destroyed. Go around made during precautionary landing. Struck ground while trying to clean up aircraft and shutdown engine.

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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