# NTSB ATL90FA145: Cessna 340, N9865F, Atlanta, GA, July 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1990, 16:16 local (20:16 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Coordinates: 33.740116, -84.570594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7401&lon=-84.5706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE FUEL MANAGEMENT, IN THAT HE DID NOT SELECT MAIN FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO THIS APPROACH. THIS RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION TO THE ENGINES, AND THE SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ALL ENGINE POWER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

AFTER LEVEL OFF FROM HIS DESCENT FOR A VISUAL APPROACH, THE PILOT NOTICED THAT BOTH ENGINES HAD QUIT. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE SWITCHED TO HIS MAIN FUEL TANKS 12 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT, AND THAT HE HAD ABOUT 150 POUNDS OF FUEL IN EACH OF HIS FOUR TANKS. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED ONLY .25 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AUXILIARY TANK. THE OTHER TANKS WERE RUPTURED FROM IMPACT FORCES. ALTHOUGH THE AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS ARE TO BE USED IN CRUISE FLIGHT ONLY, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS USING THE AUXILIARY TANKS DURING THE DESCENT FOR LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9865F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9865F-1991-05-17), registration cancelled 1991-05-17, S/N 3400161 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Registry model: [Cessna 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340) (registry code 2076404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0161
- Airframe hours: 3667
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BCN 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bill Walker And Associates
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1989, 0 hours before
- Departed: SPA, SPARTANBURG, SC
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Airport: FTY, Fulton County, runway 26, 5,796 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,250 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTY, 1 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 19900715025939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900715025939A), Jul 15, 1990: Cessna 340CESSNA, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Both engines quit on a slip approach with full flaps. Crashed into trees. Low fuel and improper slip are factors.

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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