# NTSB CHI88DEC07: Cessna 305A, N5166G, Gregory, MI, August 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1988, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Gregory, MI
- Coordinates: 42.449115, -84.079048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4491&lon=-84.0790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13850
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEC07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13850/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEC07

## Probable cause

FAILURE (AT FIRST PARTIAL, THEN TOTAL) OF THE AIRCRAFT'S POWERPLANT AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT WITH A GLIDER IN TOW; A FORCED LANDING ENSUED, DURING WHICH THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A FENCE, A SMALL TREE, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE GLIDER RELEASED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - low level (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
  - glider/tow release - performed
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

AS THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED THROUGH AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WITH A GLIDER IN TOW, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, AND THEN FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A GRASSY, ROLLING FIELD, STRIKING A FENCE AND SMALL TREE BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.THE GLIDER RELEASED AND LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE POWERPLANT, IT'S SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION/DIFFICULTY. THE ENGINE PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY DURING A SUBSEQUENT RUN-UP. INVESTIGATORS DRAINED 7.5 GALLONS OF 80/87 OCTANE AVIATION FUEL FROM EACH OF TWO FUEL TANKS; THE AIRCRAFT HAS A 'NO TAKEOFF' VALUE OF 6.75 GALLONS OR LESS. THIS VALUE WAS ESTABLISHED BECAUSE OF THE POSITIONING OF THE FUEL TANK OUTLETS AND THE RESULTANT POSSIBILITY OF FUEL FLOW INTERRUPTION IN VARIOUS FLIGHT ATTITUDES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5166G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22285
- Airframe hours: 8877
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11B 190 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Sandhill Soaring Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1988, 142 hours before
- Departed: 69G, GREGORY, MI
- Destination: 69G, GREGORY, MI
- Airport: 69G, Richmond, runway 18, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,970 total, 26 in this make and model, 2,761 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880828038089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880828038089A), Aug 28, 1988: Cessna 305A, Gregory, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit on glider tow. Released glider and crash landed off end of runway. May have unported. Low fuel on main.

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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