# NTSB ERA16LA244: Cessna 305, N5291G, Narragansett, RI, July 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 2016, 12:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Narragansett, RI - Coordinates: 41.469722, -71.426109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4697&lon=-71.4261&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 15, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Continental Motors Inc. - NTSB case key (mKey): 93558 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93558/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93558 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA244 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Cessna 305A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=2074002), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot performed a preflight inspection and sampled the fuel with no anomalies noted. He then departed on the flight with 5 hours of available fuel. About 3.5 hours into the flight, the airplane was flying about 500 ft over the ocean when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot performed a forced landing to the water, subsequently egressed, and was rescued a brief time later. Examination of the engine after recovery revealed no obvious signs of mechanical anomalies with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 2016, about 1250 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 305, N5291G, was substantially damaged during a ditching into the Atlantic Ocean near Narragansett, Rhode Island. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Simmons Aviation Services LLC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the banner-tow flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.According to the pilot, he performed a preflight inspection and sampled the fuel tanks with no anomalies noted. He then departed on the flight with 5 hours of available fuel. About 3.5 hours into the flight, the airplane was flying over the ocean about 500 ft above ground level when the engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to the water; the airplane sank, and came to rest in about 30 ft of water. The pilot egressed and was rescued a brief time later. The airplane was recovered and initial examination revealed that the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The two outboard auxiliary fuel tanks were absent of fuel. The main fuel tank was drained and held about 10 gallons of water and 9 gallons of fuel. The auxiliary inboard fuel tank was drained and held about 10 gallons of water and 9 gallons of fuel. The fuel selector was found in the auxiliary fuel tank position. It was moved and no anomalies were noted with the fuel selector. The electric boost pump switch was found in the ON position and fuel was noted in the fuel line to the electric boost pump. Fuel was also noted in the fuel bowl forward of the firewall: however, no fuel was noted in the carburetor bowl. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea, airplane multiengine land, and instrument airplane. His most recent first-class medical certificate was issued on June 5, 2015. At the time of the accident he had accumulated about 1,600 hours of total flight time, of which, 850 hours were in the accident make and model. According to FAA records, the airplane was issued an airworthiness certificate in 1953, and registered to the corporation in 2011. It was equipped with a Continental Motors Inc. O-470-11B, a 213-hp, engine and a pressure type carburetor. According to the airframe maintenance logbook, the most recent annual inspection was performed on July 1, 2015, at a total time of 8,969.8 hours and tach time of 3,577.1 hours. According to the engine maintenance logbook, the most recent annual inspection was performed in accordance with "Lycoming" guidance on July 1, 2015, at 496.6 hours since major overhaul. While reviewing the maintenance logbooks, there were several discrepancies noted. The airplane was equipped with a main fuel tank in the left wing, an auxiliary tank in the right wing, and two outboard auxiliary tanks, one in each wing. Both the main fuel tank and inboard auxiliaryfuel tank had a fuel capacity of 19 gallons. The two outboard fuel tanks had a fuel capacity of 12 gallons. The total fuel capacity of the airplane was 62 gallons. An examination of the engine revealed the it remained attached to the airframe through all engine mounts and the propeller remained attached to the crankshaft flange. In addition, crankshaft continuity was confirmed from the propeller flange to the accessory section of the engine by rotating the propeller by hand. The top spark plugs were removed and compression was noted on all cylinders. The spark plugs were examined and exhibited normal wear when compared to the Champion-Check-A-Plug Chart. Both magnetos produced spark when the propeller was rotated by hand. The cylinders were examined with a boroscope and corrosion consistent with salt water emersion was noted. The pressure carburetor was removed and corrosion was noted throughout. There were no obvious signs of mechanical anomalies with the engine that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5291G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5291G), registered now, S/N 23413, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305 - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23413 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 8969.8 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Banner tow, Part 91 - Operator: Simmons Aviation Services LLC - Registered owner: Simmons Aviation Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2015 - Departed: WST, Westerly, RI - Destination: WST, Westerly, RI - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 1,600 total, 850 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: UUU, 7 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 20160704008719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160704008719A), Jul 4, 2016: Cessna 305A, Narragansette, RI, Destroyed. While banner towing the engine stopped emergency crash offshore in 30 feet of water. One on board no injuries. ## Other investigations on N5291G (3) 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. - [NTSB MIA85LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA119), Mar 14, 1985: Cessna 305A (N5291G), Sugar Loaf Key, FL, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC84FHJ02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FHJ02), Aug 24, 1984: Cessna 305A (N5291G), East Moriches, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB NYC82DA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA165), Jul 24, 1982: Cessna 305A (N5291G), Sagaponack, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93558. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Attachment 1 to Specialist's Factual Report - Global Positioning System Device (item 3, .CSV, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465427&FileExtension=.csv&FileName=Attachment%201%20to%20Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device-Master.csv - Specialist's Factual Report - Global Positioning System Device (item 4, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465428&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Specialist%27s%20Factual%20Report%20-%20Global%20Positioning%20System%20Device-Master.PDF - Maintenance Log Excerpts (item 5, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465429&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Log%20Excerpts-Master.PDF - Maintenance Logbook Discrepancies (item 6, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465438&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Logbook%20Discrepancies-Master.PDF - CMI Engine Examination Report (item 7, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Engine%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 387 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465453&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - No Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 9, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20No%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 10, .PDF, 464 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF 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.