# NTSB ATL91FA148: Cessna 401, N3298Q, Monroe, NC, August 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1991, 14:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, NC
- Coordinates: 35.070919, -80.520736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0709&lon=-80.5207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL91FA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL91FA148

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE PILOT'S SECOND ATTEMPT TO FLY TO HIS DESTINATION. ACCORDING TO AIRPORT PERSONNEL, HE DID NOT REFUEL THE AIRPLANE AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE FIRST ATTEMPT. HE HAD ONLOADED 43.6 GALLONS OF FUEL BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE FIRST FLIGHT. AFTER DEPARTING RUTHERFORDTON ON THE SECOND FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AND 4 MILES NORTH OF MONROE. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS SPUTTERING AS IT FLEW OVERHEAD; SECONDS LATER, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA. A WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS EMPTY. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT ENGINE FUEL FLOW DIVIDER. AIRPORT PERSONNEL ALSO REPORTED THE PILOT WAS NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE FOR CRUISE AT 75% POWER WAS ABOUT 16 GALLONS PER HOUR PER ENGINE. THE PILOT HAD OPERATED THE ENGINES APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS 10 MINUTES BEFORE THEY LOST POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3298Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3298Q-1996-11-01), registration cancelled 1996-11-01, S/N 4010098 (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: 401-0098
- Airframe hours: 5975
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fisher, Hyman S
- Registered owner: Fisher, Hyman S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 31, 1991, 0 hours before
- Departed: 57A, RUTHERFORDTON, NC
- Destination: RVQ, SALISBURY, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,310 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLT, 25 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 19910801031119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910801031119A), Aug 1, 1991: Cessna 401, Monroe, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost both engines on ferry flight. Crashed into trees. Fuel tanks were empty. Pilot unfamiliar with aircraft system

## Other investigations on N3298Q (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 BFO85LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA076), Sep 15, 1985: Cessna 401 (N3298Q), Cheswold, DE, substantial damage
- [NTSB FTW77DPG18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77DPG18), Jan 17, 1977: Cessna 401 (N3298Q), Pine Bluff, AR, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.