# NTSB CHI91LA185: Ryan Navion A, N4374K, Kankakee, IL, June 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1991, 17:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Kankakee, IL
- Coordinates: 41.109531, -87.859848 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1095&lon=-87.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15090
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15090/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION MAKING AND MISJUDGED FUEL SUPPLY.  A RELATED FACTOR IS THE INADEQUATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear extension - selected, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.  THE PILOT MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF (40 GALLONS) WHEN THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED.  HIS FLIGHT PLANNING INDICATED THE TRIP WOULD TAKE 2 1/3 HOURS, AND HIS ESTIMATED FUEL FLOW WAS 13.1 GALLONS PER HOUR.  THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 2 1/4 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS INDICATING LOWER THAN HE EXPECTED DURING THE FLIGHT, BUT HE CONTINUED TOWARD HIS DESTINATION, JUDGING HIS AVAILABLE FUEL BY THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT.  HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT THE  MAIN FUEL TANKS COULD APPEAR FULL BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY WERE, AND MISLEAD REFUELLERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4374K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4374K-1993-02-04), registration cancelled 1993-02-04, S/N NAV41374 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION A
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1374
- Airframe hours: 1665
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-H 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Merton L. Townsend
- Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1990, 40 hours before
- Departed: TVC, TRAVERSE CITY, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,500 total, 125 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910608020469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910608020469A), Jun 8, 1991: Tmpson NAVIONA, Kankakee, IL, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion resulted in landing and nose over 10 miles from airport.

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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