# NTSB ATL87LA005: Cessna 305C, N720BC, Catherine, AL, October 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1986, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Catherine, AL
- Coordinates: 32.180484, -87.460876 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1805&lon=-87.4609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA005

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - unapproved (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PLT HAD LANDED IN A SOYBEAN FIELD TO PARTICIPATE IN A DOVE HUNT. ABT 1000 HE DECIDED TO FLY TO ANOTHER FIELD NEAR A RESTAURANT FOR BREAKFAST. HE ATTEMPTED A SHORT FIELD T.O. AND AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, HE STATED THAT THE ENG QUIT WITH NO WARNING. AS A RESULT OF MANEUVERING TO AVOID TREES ACROSS THE T.O. PATH, THE PLT STATED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPEED LEFT TO COMPLETE ROUNDOUT. ABOUT 9 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LT FUEL TANK AND ABOUT 1/2 PT IN THE RIGHT. THE PLT STATED THAT THE T.O. WAS MADE ON THE LT TANK. SUB TO THE ACCIDENT, THE ENG WAS PRIMED, STARTED AND RUN USING THE ACFT FUEL SYS FROM THE WING ATTACH POINTS TO THE ENG. THE FUEL SEL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N720BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N720BC-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 24726, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305C
- Registry model: [Cessna 305C (0-1E)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305c-0-1e) (registry code 2074014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24726
- Airframe hours: 3998
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Russell W. Brothers, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1986

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 14,103 total, 35 in this make and model, 13,790 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °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 19861011048619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861011048619A), Oct 11, 1986: Cessna L19E, Catherine, AL, Substantial damage. The engine failed on takeoff and the airplane landed ina soybean field. Suspect fuel starvation.

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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