# NTSB ATL89LA169: Cessna 401, N8271F, Raleigh, NC, June 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1989, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Location: 35.6202° N, 78.7001° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHERN WAKE RGNL (5W5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6202&lon=-78.7001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA169

## Probable cause

IMPROPER MAINTENANCE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL AND EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE TO THE RIGHT ENGINE (RICH MIXTURE). A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE WORN/UNSERVICEABLE INTERNAL LOCK NUT IN THE FUEL PUMP.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - fuel system,pump - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - pressure excessive (cause)
- Gear not extended, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG TAKEOFF, THE RGT ENG LOST PWR AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 50' AGL. HE ELECTED TO SHUT DOWNBOTH ENGS & ABORT THE TAKEOFF BY LANDING WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE RGT SIDE OF THE RWY. AN EXAM OF THE RGT ENG REVEALED HVY SOOTING OF THE SPARK PLUGS & EXHAUST SYS. WHEN THE RGT ENG WAS RESTARTED AFTER THE ACDNT, IT INITIALLY RAN ROUGH, APPEARED TO HAVE A RICH MIXTURE & BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE EXHAUST. EVIDENCE OF EXCESSIVE FUEL PRESSURE WAS NOTED. THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP WAS CHANGED, THEN THE ENG RAN NORMALLY. AN INSPN OF THE PUMP REVEALED THE LOW PRESSURE ADJUSTMENT BOLT COULD BE ROTATED WITH FINGERS. DISASSEMBLY OF THE PUMP DISCLOSED THE INTERNAL LOCK NUT WAS WORN & UNSERVICEABLE. MAINT RECORDS SHOWED THAT ENG PROBLEMS HAD BEEN RPRTD ON PREVIOUS FLTS. ON 6/21/89, THE (RIGHT ENG) TURBOCONTROLLER & FUEL PUMP WERE ADJUSTED FOR BOTH HIGH & LOW PRESSURES. PROCEDURES AT THE MAINT FACILITY FOR TURBOCHARGED ENGS WERE NOT IAW TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL SVC BULLETIN M89-10.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8271F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8271F-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 4010244 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Registry model: [Cessna 401](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-401) (registry code 207590C) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 245
- Airframe hours: 2633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harvey Montague
- Registered owner: Montaque Building Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 199 hours before
- Airport: 5W5, Triple "W", runway 34, 3,000 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,479 total, 269 in this make and model, 1,479 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU

## 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 19890624017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890624017479A), Jun 24, 1989: Cessna 401, Raleigh, NC, Substantial damage. Right engine failed on takeoff after gear up. Shut down both engines landed gear up. Fuel pump incorrectly adjusted

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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