# NTSB CHI89LA172: Cessna T-337D, N33N, Howell, MI, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 18:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Howell, MI
- Location: 42.6081° N, 83.9343° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Howell, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6081&lon=-83.9343&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL'S NOT PERFORMING CORRECT CALIBRATION OF FUEL GAGES.

## 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 - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,calibration - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE, THE ENGINES LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AFTER A FORCED LANDING IN A ROUGH/UNEVEN FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE FUEL GAGES ON THE MAIN TANKS READ 1/4 FULL AFTER THE FUEL EXHAUSTION. EXAMINATION OF THE MAIN FUEL TANKS REVEALED ONLY UNUSABLE FUEL REMAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N33N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N33N-2015-05-19), registration cancelled 2015-05-19, S/N 337-1122, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-337D
- Registry model: [Cessna T337D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337d) (registry code 2075719) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-1122
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-A/B 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stevens, Thomas M.
- Registered owner: Smith, Norman J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3FM, FREEMONT, MI
- Destination: PTK, PONTIAC, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 51 in this make and model, 3,950 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 36 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 19890819030469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030469A), Aug 19, 1989: Cessna T337D, Howell, MI, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion caused forced landing off airport. Main tanks empty,some fuel in aux. Gauges indicated incorrectly.

## Other investigations on N33N (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 MIA02LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA165), Sep 1, 2002: Cessna T337D (N33N), Fort Pierce, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of the fuel supply, and subsequent fuel exhaustion.

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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