# NTSB CHI84MA249: Cessna 340A, N5345J, Cincinnati, OH, June 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1984, 12:17 local (16:17 UTC)
- Place: Cincinnati, OH
- Coordinates: 39.109176, -84.42041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1092&lon=-84.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84MA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84MA249

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - improper (cause)
  - refueling - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - information unclear(phraseology), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - , fbo personnel (contributing factor)
  - refueling - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- Fire/explosion, other

## Analysis

PLT REQUESTED FUEL FROM FBO BUT FAILED TO MAKE IT CLEAR WHAT TYPE HE WANTED. THE FBO PERSONNEL MISUNDERSTOOD THE PLT'S REQUEST AND REFUELED THE ACFT WITH 'JET A' INSTEAD OF AVIATION GRADE GASOLINE. THE PLT DID NOT MONITOR THE REFUELING PROCESS AND FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE WRONG FUEL AS STATED ON FUEL RECEIPT. THE PLT DID NOT REALIZE THE IMPROPER FUEL ON HIS PREFLIGHT OF THE ACFT. THE ACFT DEPARTED AND SHORTLY THERE AFTER THE PLT RADIOED THAT HE WAS RETURNING TO THE ARPT BECAUSE OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN A LEFT BANK (ABOUT 45 DEGREE BANK ANGLE) BEFORE IMPACT IN A DENSELY WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5345J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5345J-1991-04-09), registration cancelled 1991-04-09, S/N 340A0418 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0418
- Airframe hours: 1000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mobile Home Estates, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 7, 1984
- Destination: W70, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; 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: 1,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUF, 1 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 19840620025869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840620025869A), Jun 20, 1984: Cessna 340CESSNA, Cincinnati, OH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Pilot asked for and got jet fuel instead of avgas. Both engines lost power after takeoff. Lost control in emergency

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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