# NTSB CHI87LA044: Cessna T303, N9894T, Benton Harbor, MI, December 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1986, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.110271, -86.440635 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1103&lon=-86.4406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13708
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13708/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - landing gear,gear indicating system - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, go-around (vfr)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - throttle/power control - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING TO BENTON HARBOR TO GET WORK DONE ON A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT ENG THROTTLE. ON FINAL APCH, THE PLT DID NOT GET A GEAR DOWN INDICATION AND TRIED TO CYCLE THE GEAR. NOT SURE THAT THE GEAR WAS DOWN, THE PLT CHOOSE TO GO-AROUND. WHEN POWER WAD ADDED, RIGHT ENG DID NOT RESPOND AND THE ACFT ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. THE RIGHT WING TIP STRUCK THE RWY AND ON TOUCHDOWN THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9894T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300052
- Airframe hours: 1001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-AE 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Krenn Bridge Co, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SBN, SOUTH BEND, IN
- Airport: BEH, Ross Field Twin Cities, runway 27, 5,107 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,462 total, 284 in this make and model, 5,386 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861211069409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861211069409A), Dec 11, 1986: Cessna T303, Benton Harbor, MI, Substantial damage. Right wingtip struck the ground on a go around when the right engine failed to respond. Engine throttle was broken.

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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