# NTSB DEN85LA139: Boeing A75N1, N49926, Grand Junction, CO, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 14:21 local (20:21 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Location: 39.0639° N, 108.5506° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Grand Junction, CO, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0639&lon=-108.5506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA139

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AS HE ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION (CANYONLANDS, UT), THERE WAS A STORM OVER THE ARPT, SO HE DIVERTEDED TOWARD DELTA, CO. ABOUT 10 MI FROM DELTA, HE ENCOUNTERED ANOTHER STORM, SO HE TURNED TOWARD GRAND JUNCTION, CO. BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT, THE ENG LOST POWER DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS 'JUST UNDER A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS' REMAINING. HOWEVER, THE ACFT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE AN ESTIMATED 3 HRS & 15 MIN & THE ENG CONSUMED ABOUT 14 GAL/HR. THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR APRX 4 YRS & HAD RUST IN THE FUEL LINES & FILTER. HE BELIEVED THAT THE RUST CAUSED FUEL STARVATION & THAT FLUSHING THE FUEL SYS WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE POWER LOSS. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A DIKE AS THE PLT TRIED TO BOUNCE OVER IT. THE GEAR COLLAPSED & A FENCE & CORN FIELD WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT HAD 46 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49926](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49926), registered now, S/N 75-808 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680-4P-B4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680-4p-b4) (registry code 41542, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-808
- Airframe hours: 5022
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680-17 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Bradshaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1977
- Departed: RICHFIELD, UT
- Destination: CANYONLANDS, UT
- Airport: GJT, Grand Junction

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 679 total, 278 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850519018059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519018059A), May 19, 1985: Boeing A75N1, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Diverted from 2 airports because of thunderstorms. Out of fuel trying for 3rd. Landed, hit dike. No aircraft annual

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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