# NTSB CHI89LA082: Cessna 320D, N132BC, Wixom, MI, May 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Wixom, MI
- Coordinates: 42.779571, -82.930351 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7796&lon=-82.9304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14346
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14346/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA082

## Probable cause

PILOT'S INATTENTION TO THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING PREFLIGHT AND INADEQUATE FUEL SYSTEM MONITORING THROUGHOUT THE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING FOR PURPOSES OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, BOTH ENGINES ON THE CESSNA 320D FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND WAS VECTORED TOWARD THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT, AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE SOUTHEAST OF IT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132BC-1992-04-29), registration cancelled 1992-04-29, S/N 320D0130 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320D
- Registry model: [Cessna 320D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320d) (registry code 2074512) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320D-0130
- Airframe hours: 5778
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air-Land Surveys, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 2, 1988, 95 hours before
- Departed: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,275 total, 2,110 in this make and model, 3,010 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 11 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 19890501010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890501010659A), May 1, 1989: Cessna 320D, Wixom, MI, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel on a photography flight. Crash landed in trees on forced landing. Failed to check fuel prior flight

## Other investigations on N132BC (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA67F0126](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0126), Jul 2, 1966: Cessna 320D (N132BC), Fernandina, FL, substantial damage

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.