# NTSB CHI85LA200: Cessna 207, N91043, Golden Valley, MN, May 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1985, 06:56 local (11:56 UTC)
- Place: Golden Valley, MN
- Coordinates: 45.009357, -93.380393 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0094&lon=-93.3804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13069
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA200
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13069/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA200

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, ON THE LAST LEG ON IT'S FLIGHT, THE ENGINE OF THE AIR CARGO ACFT STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE PLT TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLR FROM THE LEFT TANK TO ANOTHER POSITION & TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP. THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING & THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A PUBLIC PARK. THE LEFT WING WAS TORN OFF THE ACFT DURING THE EMERG LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR HAD BEEN TURNED TO THE 'OFF' POSITION, A CHECK OF THE FUEL QUANTITY IN EACH TANK SHOWED LESS THAN FIVE GAL IN THE LEFT TANK & ABOUT TWELVE GAL IN THE RIGHT TANK

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91043-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 20700030, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- Registry model: [Cessna 207](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207) (registry code 2073602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700030
- Airframe hours: 4002
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Northland American Air Cargo
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 28, 1985
- Departed: MSP, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: MIC, CRYSTAL, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 607 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MIC, 5 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 19850518018319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850518018319A), May 18, 1985: Cessna 207, Golden Valley, MN, Destroyed. Engine quit on left fuel tank. Switched to off instead of the right tank. Hit trees then ground during landing.

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.
