# NTSB CHI86FA041: Cessna 320, N5755X, Ada, OH, December 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1985, 18:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Ada, OH
- Coordinates: 40.760181, -83.82032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7602&lon=-83.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13236
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI86FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13236/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- Forced landing, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OVERFLEW A PLANNED INTERMEDIATE STOP BEFORE RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE AIRPORT HE WAS BEING VECTORED TO & ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD DURING DARK CONDITIONS. AS THE AIRCRAFT PASSED OVER POWERLINES THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO NOSE OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5755X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5755X-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 320-0055, 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: 3200055
- Airframe hours: 2898
- Engines: Continental TSI0-470-B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles W. Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1985, 35 hours before
- Departed: 1J1, ST SIMONS ISL., GA
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,194 total, 7 in this make and model, 1,068 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: FDY, 12 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 19851206061159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851206061159A), Dec 6, 1985: Cessna 320, Ada, OH, Destroyed. One engine quit due to fuel starvation. Could not find airport with atcs help. Stalled, impacted ground vertically.

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.