# NTSB ATL87LA066: Cessna 337D, N10MM, Savannah, GA, January 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1987, 12:31 local (17:31 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Coordinates: 32.019954, -81.139739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0200&lon=-81.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA066

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,selector/valve - erratic (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water,rough
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FLYING A DONATED AIRCRAFT IN SUPPORT OF A PROGRAM TO DOCUMENT THE ACTIVITIES OF WRIGHT WHALES OFF THE COAST OF THE CAROLINA'S AND GEORGIA. THE PLT HAD BEEN WITH THE OWNER ON A PREVIOUS FLT, WHEN PROBLEMS DEVELOPED WHILE SWITCHING TO/AND/OR FROM THE AUX FUEL TANKS TO THE MAIN FUEL TANKS. THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTED REPAIR OR TROUBLE SHOOTING CONDUCTED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. ON THIS FLIGHT THE PILOT TOOK OFF WITH FUEL IN THE AUX TANKS AND SWITCHED TO THE AUX TANKS WHILE ABOUT 20 MILES OFF SHORE AND FLEW SEVERAL LEGS OF THE SEARCH PATTERN. THE ENG QUIT. HE STARTED TOWARD THE SHORE AND THEN SWITCHED THE FRONT ENG TO THE MAIN FUEL TANK, IT QUIT ALSO. THE ACFT WAS DITCHED IN THE OCEAN AND SANK ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER IMPACT. IT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10MM-2012-05-03), registration cancelled 2012-05-03, S/N 337-0986, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337D
- Registry model: [Cessna 337D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337d) (registry code 2075717) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3370986
- Airframe hours: 573
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: P. D. Tedrick
- Registered owner: Phillip D Tedrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1986, 30 hours before
- Departed: 55J, FERNANDINA BCH, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,979 total, 18 in this make and model, 3,464 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 18 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 19870126000969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870126000969A), Jan 26, 1987: Cessna 337D, Savannah, GA, Destroyed. The engines failed when fuel tanks were switched. The pilot was aware of the problem. Aircraft was ditched in ocean

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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