# NTSB ATL92LA003: Cessna 320, N4726X, Gadsden, AL, October 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1991, 16:16 local (21:16 UTC)
- Place: Gadsden, AL
- Coordinates: 34.010971, -86.010093 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0110&lon=-86.0101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA003

## Probable cause

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INCORRECT FUEL LINE INSTALLATIONS, AN INOPERATIVE FUEL BOOST PUMP, AND INCORRECT PILOT PROCEDURE.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL OPERATION WITH A KNOWN FUEL SYSTEM DEFICIENCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - all engines
  - maintenance,installation - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - inoperative (cause)
  - throttle/power lever,push/pull rod - starvation (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS AWARE OF A PROBLEM  WITH THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM, SINCE FUEL FROM THE RIGHT MAIN TANK WOULD FEED QUICKER THAN FROM THE LEFT MAIN TANK. RATHER THAN HAVE THE A/C REPAIRED IN FLORIDA, HE ELECTED TO FLY THE A/C TO HIS HOME IN INDIANA TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE THERE. WHILE ON APPROACH TO A REFUELING STOP, HE REPORTED THAT BOTH ENGINES QUIT SIMULTANEOUSLY. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A NEARBY FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE LT TANK BOOST PUMP WAS INOP, AND THE FUEL SYSTEM CROSSFEED LINES WERE INCORRECTLY INSTALLED (NORMAL X-FEED WAS DISABLED). THUS, FUEL FROM THE RT, MAIN TANK WAS PRESSURE FED TO THE LT, MAIN TANK, AND THEN OVERBOARD, UNTIL THE RT TANK WAS EMPTIED, AND THE RT ENGINE QUIT. HOWEVER, FUEL WAS STILL AVAILABLE TO THE LT ENGINE. THEREFORE THE SAFETY BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE PILOT SELECTED X-FEED ON THE LT FUEL SELECTOR AFTER THE RT ENGINE QUIT; THIS SUBSEQUENTLY SHUT OFF FUEL TO THE LT ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4726X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3200026
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Barker, E. Gerry
- Registered owner: Barker, E. Gerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Airport: GAD, Gadsden Municipal, runway 36, 4,803 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GAD, 3 nm away

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.