# NTSB CHI85LA016: Cessna 340, N5422M, Blue Earth, MN, October 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1984, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Blue Earth, MN
- Coordinates: 43.629791, -94.090316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6298&lon=-94.0903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA016

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR A VOR/DME APCH TO RWY 31. AS HE CONTINUED, HE INTERCEPTED A 12 MI ARC. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED POWER TO LEVEL OFF AT 2800 FT MSL & NO POWER WAS AVAILABLE. HE MOVED THE MIXTURES TO FULL RICH, POSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTORS TO THE MAIN TANKS, TURNED ON THE FUEL PUMPS & CHECKED THE MAGNETO SWITCHES, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE. THE PLT THEN TURNED INTO THE WIND & ADVISED THE PASSENGERS TO PREPARE FOR A HARD LANDING. WHEN THE ACFT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS, THE PLT SAW A CORN FIELD AHEAD & LANDED. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE CORN & THE GEAR COLLAPSED ON WET TERRAIN. VIRTUALLY NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE AUX TANKS. THE MAIN TANKS WERE APRX 1/3 TO 2/3 FULL. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. BOTH ENGS WERE FUNCTIONALLY CHECKED & OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5422M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-031
- Airframe hours: 3188
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Western Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: GRB, GREEN BAY, WI
- Destination: FRM, FAIRMONT, MN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Fairmont

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 37,712 total, 70 in this make and model, 37,612 as pilot in command, 147 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19841016059559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841016059559A), Oct 16, 1984: Cessna 340CESSNA, Blue Earth, MN, Substantial damage. Ran auxiliary tanks dry, both engines quit. Switched to mains, unable to restart. Main tanks had sufficient fuel.

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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