# NTSB DEN04LA082: Lockheed TV-2, N6617, Calhan, CO, May 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 28, 2004, 19:20 local (May 29, 2004, 01:20 UTC) - Place: Calhan, CO - Coordinates: 39.030307, -104.290534 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0303&lon=-104.2905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59387 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59387/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA082 ## Probable cause the failure of the fuel tank float which resulted in the draining of fuel out the vents, and a low fuel supply. Contributing factors include the insufficient runway length, the ditch, and the rough, uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, emergency descent/landing - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - malfunction - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - unreliable (contributing factor) - fuel supply - inadequate - fluid,fuel - excessive flow/output - Overrun, landing - roll - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, at approximately 45 nautical miles southeast of his intended destination, the wing tip tank low fuel light illuminated. He stated that this was planned, and he selected the 150-gallon wing tank. Approximately two minutes later, the low fuel light illuminated for the wing tank. A "drop," in the fuel quantity indication on the main fuselage tank gauge, confirmed the wing tanks low fuel condition. He then selected the 100-gallon leading edge tank, and within a few minutes, its low fuel light illuminated as well. Again, he noted a "drop" in the fuel quantity indication on the main fuselage tank gauge, confirming the leading edge tanks low fuel condition. The pilot immediately contacted the local Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), reported a "fuel emergency," and stated that he was going to make a precautionary landing at a nearby dirt strip. Upon landing, he retracted the flaps and applied full brakes; however, the airplane departed the end of the runway, struck a ditch, and slid approximately 400 feet, coming to a stop in an open field. The impact with the ditch collapsed and separated both main landing gear assemblies from the wing spar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars and the lower aft fuselage. According to the pilot, the airplane departed with approximately 700 gallons of fuel. Prior to evacuating the airplane, he noted that the main fuselage tank gauge indicated approximately 68 gallons of fuel. During an examination of the wreckage, approximately 56 gallons of fuel was recovered. According to a maintenance representative, no aircraft anomalies were noted. However, a stuck fuel tank float valve would allow fuel to "drain out of the saber vents at approximately 30 gallons per minute." The representative also stated that, the calculated fuel loss, from the moment the fuel pumps were turned on to the moment the tanks indicated empty, correlated to the amount of unaccountable fuel. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2004, at approximately 1920 mountain daylight time, a Lockheed TV-2, N6617, operated by ATG Flight Services Inc., was substantially damaged when it overran the runway and struck a ditch during a precautionary landing at Calhan Airport (5V4), Calhan, Colorado. The airline transport certificated pilot, and his airline transport certificated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the positioning flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight to Denver, Colorado, originated at Salina, Kansas, at approximately 1845. According to the pilot, at approximately 1910, 45 nautical miles southeast of Centennial Airport (APA), his intended destination, the wing tip tank low fuel light illuminated. He stated that this was as planned, and he selected the 150-gallon wing tank. However, approximately 2 minutes later, the low fuel light illuminated for the wing tank. A "drop" in the fuel quantity indication on the main fuselage tank gauge confirmed the wing tanks' low fuel condition. He then selected the 100-gallon leading edge tank, and within a few minutes, its low fuel light illuminated as well. Again, he noted a "drop" in the fuel quantity indicated on the main fuselage tank gauge, confirming the leading edge tanks' low fuel condition. The pilot immediately contacted Denver Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), reported a "fuel emergency," and stated that he was going to land at the nearby Calhan Airport. The pilot made a precautionary landing at Calhan, on runway 35 (4,565 feet long by 50 feet wide, dirt strip, at an elevation of 6,450 feet msl). Upon landing, he retracted the flaps and applied full brakes; however, the airplane departed the end of the runway, struck a ditch, and slid approximately 400 feet, coming to a stop in an open field. The pilot shut down the engine and they both egressed. The impact with the ditch collapsed and separated both main landing gear assemblies from the wing spar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wing spars and the lower aft fuselage. According to the pilot, the airplane departed Salina, Kansas, with a fuel quantity of approximately 700 gallons of Jet A fuel. Prior to evacuating the airplane, he noted that the main fuselage tank gauge indicated approximately 68 gallons of fuel. During an examination of the wreckage, approximately 56 gallons of fuel was recovered. No fuel leaks were noted during the refueling at Salina or at the accident site. According to a representative from ATG Flight Services Inc., although no aircraft anomalies were noted, a stuck fuel tank float valve during fuel pump operation would allow fuel to "drain out of the saber vents at approximately 30 gallons per minute." The representative also stated that, the calculated fuel lost during approximately 8 minutes of fuel pump operation, which includes 5 minutes during the departure and initial climb from Salina and approximately 3 minutes following the initial wing tip tank low fuel light illumination, correlates to the amount of unaccountable fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6617](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6617-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 126617, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lockheed TV-2 - Registry model: [Lockheed TV-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/lockheed-tv-2) (registry code 5260406) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison J33-A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-j33-a-series) (registry code 03007, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 126617 - Airframe hours: 4050 - Engines: Allison J33A-35 4600 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: ATG Flight Services INC. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 2004 - Departed: SLN, Salina, KS - Destination: APA, Denver, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 5V4, Calhan, runway 35, 4,565 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; airline transport, private, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 24, 2004; seat: rear; flight hours: 19,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 210° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.69 inHg - Observed at: KCOS, 25 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 20040529009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040529009019A), May 29, 2004: Lkheed TV2, Calhan, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Flight was on instrument flight plan enroute from sln to den. Airplane was fueled in sln to all tanks full. This was more than enough fuel for flight and… 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.