# NTSB ATL90LA113: Cessna 305A, N201FM, Woodstock, GA, May 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1990, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodstock, GA
- Coordinates: 34.100517, -84.510856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1005&lon=-84.5109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA113

## Probable cause

AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT.

## 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
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A RESTART BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER CLEARING SOME POWER LINES, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 900 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER THE FLIGHT REVEALED THAT ALL TOP SPARK PLUGS WERE VERY CLEAN. THE NUMBER 6 CYLINDER WAS REMOVED AND INSPECTED. THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER, PISTON, AND EXHAUST WERE ALSO VERY CLEAN. SOME REMAINING CARBON ON THE PISTON HEAD WAS VERY LOOSE. THE GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS REMOVED AND WATER WAS OBSERVED INSIDE THE BOWL. THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN UP TO 2000 RPM WITH NO PROBLEMS OBSERVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N201FM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N201FM-2023-11-27), registration cancelled 2023-11-27, S/N 22488, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22488
- Airframe hours: 9449
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nevin G. Summers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1990, 19 hours before
- Departed: ATH, ATHENS, GA
- Airport: 5GA4, Air Acres, runway 36, 2,000 × 75 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 172 total, 76 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 29 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 19900518016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900518016679A), May 18, 1990: Cessna 305A, Woodstock, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final,landed in trees short of runway. Large quanitiy of water in fuel. Pilot drained fuel preflight

## Other investigations on N201FM (2)

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.

- [NTSB CEN22LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA245), Jun 10, 2022: Cessna 305 (N201FM), Sioux Falls, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB CHI98LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA137), Apr 29, 1998: Cessna 305 (N201FM), Fredricktown, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the embankment, and the soft , muddy soil making up the embankment.

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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