# NTSB FTW87LA019: Cessna 337, N879SA, New Orleans, LA, November 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1986, 22:05 local (Nov 20, 1986, 04:05 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 29.980831, -90.090751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9808&lon=-90.0908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA019

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, missed approach (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - missed approach - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH AND THE SUBSEQUENT MISSED APPROACH, BOTH ENGINES FAILED DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT AS MUCH AS SIX GALLONS OF FUEL WAS CONTAINED IN THE AUXILLARY TANKS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THAT NONE WAS CONTAINED BETWEEN THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVES AND THE ENGINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N879SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N879SA-2015-04-30), registration cancelled 2015-04-30, S/N 33701422, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337
- Registry model: [Cessna 337F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337f) (registry code 2075725) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33701422
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthru C. Oliver
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LEI, RALEIGH DURHAM, NC
- Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR
- Airport: NEW, New Orleans, runway 18R, 6,700 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NEW, 2 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 19861119058489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861119058489A), Nov 19, 1986: Cessna 337F, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. The engines failed from fuel exhaustion. Aircraft landed in residential area. Pilot failed to check fuel reserves.

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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