# NTSB ATL88LA024: Cessna 337C, N11GL, Columbus, OH, October 27, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1987, 20:14 local (Oct 27, 1987, 01:14 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.009494, -82.919998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0095&lon=-82.9200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA024

## 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
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

PIC RPTED REAR ENG QUIT AFTER TAKE-OFF. FUEL SELECTOR FOUND ON RIGHT MAIN TANK WHICH WAS EMPTY. PROP WAS NOT FEATHERED AND LANDING GEAR WAS FOUND IN TRANSIENT POSITION AFTER CRASH. OWNERS MANUAL CAUTIONS AGAINST HIGHER DRAG WITH GEAR IN TRANSIT DUE TO LARGE GEAR DOORS AND LESS SINGLE ENGINE CAPABILITY WITH FRONT ENGINE. PIC STARTED TURN BACK TO ARPT IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE FAILURE. MINIMAL SINGLE ENGINE CAPABILITY WAS FURTHER DEGRADED BY NON-PERFORMANCE OF EMERGENCY PROCEDURE, PREMATURE MANEUVERING, AND DELAYED GEAR RETRACTION. THE ACFT WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND, AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE REAR ENGINE, THE PLT SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA. ON FINAL, POWER LINES WERE OBSERVED AND IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID THEM, TWO UTILITY POLES WERE STRUCK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11GL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11GL-2011-05-25), registration cancelled 2011-05-25, S/N 337-0829, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337C
- Registry model: [Cessna 337C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337c) (registry code 2075712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3370829
- Airframe hours: 3901
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Belford, Richard F.
- Registered owner: Belford, Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CMH, Port Columbus Intl., runway 13, 5,001 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 543 total, 66 in this make and model, 454 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 5 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 19871026061749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871026061749A), Oct 26, 1987: Cessna 337C, Columbus, OH, Substantial damage. Rear engine quit on takeoff. Fuel mismanagement. Did not feather and complete gear cycle. Hit wires and poles.

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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