# NTSB ATL92LA180: Cessna 320, N5754X, Darlington, SC, September 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1992, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Darlington, SC
- Coordinates: 34.289131, -79.869361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2891&lon=-79.8694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8664
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA180
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8664/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA180

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH CONTAMINATED FUEL BY THE OWNER PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - 2 engines
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT LIFT OFF BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE TO AVOID HOUSES, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE AIRPLANE THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID INTO AN OUT BUILDING ADJACENT TO A RESIDENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED AN OILY, FOUL SMELLING CONTAMINANT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT 300 GALLONS OF 100LL FUEL FROM A LOCAL FIXED BASE OPERATOR. THE FUEL WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE PILOT'S FUEL FARM ON HIS AIRFIELD IN A TANK WHICH HE USES TO MIX CHEMICALS FOR AERIAL APPLICATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5754X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5754X-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 320-0054, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Registry model: [Cessna 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320) (registry code 2074502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSI0-470-B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsi0-470-b) (registry code 17029, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320-0054
- Airframe hours: 1419
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Branham, John R.
- Registered owner: Branham, John R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1992, 5 hours before
- Departed: 6J7
- Destination: 6J7
- Airport: 6J7, Branham'S, runway 35, 3,200 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,500 total, 10 in this make and model, 8,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 10 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 19920914036589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920914036589A), Sep 14, 1992: Cessna 320, Darlington, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot reported loss both engines on takeoff. Struck wires. Fueled from unclean chemical mixing tank.

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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