# NTSB ATL96LA092: Cessna 411, N3203R, Rome, GA, June 15, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1996, 11:40 local (15:40 UTC)
- Place: Rome, GA
- Coordinates: 34.239151, -85.17086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2392&lon=-85.1709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA092

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power in both engines, due to an inadequate supply of fuel.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - all engines
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - object - fence

## Analysis

After a normal parachute drop at 13,000 feet, the pilot initiated a descent. As the airplane descended to 2300 feet, both engines lost power. Unable to restart either engine, the pilot initiated an emergency landing to runway 9 at the departure airport. However, before reaching the runway, the airplane collided with vegetation and the airport perimeter fence. An examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. No usable fuel was found in the fuel system during the postaccident examination.

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1996, at 1140 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 411, N3203R, collided with all vegetation while maneuvering for an emergency landing to runway 09 at the Richard B. Russell Airport in Rome, Georgia. The parachute drop flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot was not injured. The flight departed Rome, Georgia, at 1119.

According to the pilot, a normal parachute drop was made from 13,000 feet, afterward, he initiated a descent. As the airplane descended to 2300 feet, both engines quit. After several failed attempts to restart both engines, the pilot attempted an emergency landing to runway 09 at Rome. The airplane collided with tall vegetation and the airport perimeter fence while maneuvering for the emergency landing.

An examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. There was no fuel recovered from the fuel system during the wreckage examination (see attached Inspector's Statement).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3203R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3203R-1997-11-19), registration cancelled 1997-11-19, S/N 4110203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 411
- Registry model: [Cessna 411](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-411) (registry code 2075902) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 411-203
- Engines: Continental GTSIO-520-C 340 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Buffey Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 1995, 65 hours before
- Departed: RMG
- Airport: RMG, Russell Airport, runway 19, 6,000 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 969 total, 9 in this make and model, 687 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 35 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 19960615013969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960615013969A), Jun 15, 1996: Cessna 411, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. On descent both engines quit, unable to restart. Made shallow turn to land, landing gear clipped tops of trees.

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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