# NTSB FTW87FA175: Cessna 337B, N2315S, Laporte, TX, July 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1987, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Laporte, TX
- Coordinates: 29.660448, -95.040733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6604&lon=-95.0407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA175
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA175

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE WX SINCE ITS LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION ON 12/1/84. AFTER PURCHASING THE AIRCRAFT, THE PILOT (WHO IS AN AIRCRAFT AND POWERPLANT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN) EXAMINED IT AND A FERRY PERMIT WAS ISSUED BY FAA FOR THE PROPOSED FERRY FLIGHT TO THE PILOT'S HOME BASE. UNKNOWN TO THE PILOT THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE REAR ENGINE WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY A FOREIGN MATERIAL. THIS BLOCKAGE ALLOWED ADQUATE FUEL FLOW FOR A SUSTAINED STATIC OPERATION AT 1000-1500 RPM AND A BRIEF BURST OF POWER AT FULL THROTTLE. HOWEVER, IT WAS INADEQUATE FOR A SUSTAINED HIGH POWER SETTING AND AS A RESULT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE REAR ENGINE POWER REDUCED TO A LEVEL OF 1200-1500 RPM. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT AND HEADED FOR THE NEAREST AVAILABLE LANDING SITE. HE LOST FLYING SPEED WHILE PULLING UP TO AVOID TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE SITE AND HE ACFT THEN MUSHED TO A TOUCHDOWN WITH A RESULTANT HARD LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,line - blocked(partial) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2315S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2315S-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 337-0615, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337B
- Registry model: [Cessna 337B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337b) (registry code 2075706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3370615
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C4D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon R.Duke
- Registered owner: Vernon Duke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984
- Destination: HANKAMER, TX
- Airport: T41, Laporte Munic.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,802 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19870723037529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870723037529A), Jul 23, 1987: Cessna 337B, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Rear engine lost power after takeoff due to contaminate in fuel line restricting flow. No flights in six months.

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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