# NTSB CHI92LA237: Beech C90, N90RG, Pontiac, MI, August 6, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1992, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Pontiac, MI
- Coordinates: 42.769191, -82.529594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7692&lon=-82.5296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15513
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15513/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA237

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S NOT UNDERSTANDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT INADVERTENT DISCONTINUANCE OF FUEL TO BOTH ENGINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - 2 engines
  - fuel system - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel supply - discontinued, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water
- Ditching, landing

## Analysis

PILOT WAS ON FINAL APPROACH WHEN HE STATED HE GOT A FUEL CROSSFEED 'WARNING' LIGHT. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TRY TO TROUBLE SHOOT THE FUEL SYSTEM BY CYCLING THE RIGHT BOOST PUMP SWITCH, AND 'RESET AND ARM' THE AUTO CROSSFEED.  HE STATED THE CROSSFEED LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT FUEL PRESSURE LIGHT, AND HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WHEN HE FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE, THE LEFT ENGINE ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT CLEANED UP THE AIRPLANE AND DITCHED IN THE LAKE SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE LEFT WING FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, AND THE LEFT NACELLE TANK WAS COLLAPSED. THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, AND THE RIGHT NACELLE TANK CONTAINED 19 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE FUEL SUPPLY, TRANSFER, AND CROSSFEED SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONALLY CHECKED, AND WERE OPERABLE. ALL COCKPIT FUEL SYSTEM LIGHTS INDICATED NORMAL SYSTEM OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90RG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90RG-2012-07-31), registration cancelled 2012-07-31, S/N LJ-546, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C90
- Registry model: [Beech C90](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c90) (registry code 1152913) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [U/A Canada PT6A-27-28](https://openairdocs.org/engine/u-a-canada-pt6a-27-28) (registry code 61504, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: LJ-546
- Airframe hours: 8487
- Engines: P&W PT6A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Jabil Circuit Company, Inc.
- Registered owner: Jabil Circuit Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 18, 1992, 66 hours before
- Departed: C19, HOLLAND, MI
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,114 total, 261 in this make and model, 2,049 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PTK, 3 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 19920806029929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920806029929A), Aug 6, 1992: Beech C90, Pontiac, MI, Substantial damage. Lost power both engines on IFR approach. Ditched in lake short of Pontiac. All tanks but one empty. Short IFR flight.

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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