# NTSB DEN84FA162: Cessna 340A, N6231X, Paonia, CO, May 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1984, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Paonia, CO
- Coordinates: 38.859836, -107.590423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8598&lon=-107.5904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16217
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16217/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84FA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,engine out capability - deteriorated
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT ABOUT 200 FT (AGL) ON INITIAL CLIMB FROM TAKEOFF, A COMPLETE POWER LOSS WAS EXPERIENCED ON THE LEFT ENGINE. HE STATED THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED, BUT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT HOLD ALTITUDE AT RECOMMENDED SINGLE-ENGINE SPEED DURING A GRADUAL TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT, NECESSITATING A FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT ON A PAVED ROAD. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THE HARD SURFACE, CROSSED AN EMBANKMENT AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE IN THE LEFT ENGINE. INVESTIGATION FURTHER FOUND THE LEFT PROP CONTROL IN HIGH PITCH VS FEATHER AND THE FUEL SELECTORS ON AUXILIARY TANKS, CONTRARY TO AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THAT TAKEOFF ON AUX TANKS WITH 10 GALS CAN UNPORT THE ENGINE FEED PORT. THE PILOT STATED HE SWITCHED BOTH ENGINES TO AUX TANKS DURING ATTEMPT TO RECOVER POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6231X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6231X-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 340A0432, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0432
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520-NB 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. D. Hagerman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 1983, 67 hours before
- Departed: 7V2, PAONIA, CO
- Destination: 0V2, SALIDA, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,353 total, 440 in this make and model, 2,205 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19840526023149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840526023149A), May 26, 1984: Cessna 340A, Paonia, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after left engine quit due to fuel t ank mismanagement.

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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