# NTSB FTW87LA162: Grumman G-21A, N322, Big Spring, TX, July 6, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1987, 14:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Location: 32.2383° N, 101.4857° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Spring, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2383&lon=-101.4857&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA162

## 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
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE PLT NOTED THAT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS ALMOST EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK HAD GAINED FUEL. HE IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED FROM THE BOTH POSITION TO THE RIGHT TANK AND STARTED TO WORK THE WOBBLE PUMP. THE FUEL CONTINUED TO DROP IN THE LEFT TANK AND THE ACFT LOST PWR IN BOTH ENGINES. THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING THE FORCED LANDING THAT FOLLOWED. EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT THE FUEL VENT TO THE RIGHT TANK WAS BLOCKED. IN ADDITION, THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY NOT RUNNING ON BOTH TANKS, PARTICULARLY WITH PARTIAL LOADS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N322](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N322-2018-01-18), registration cancelled 2018-01-18, S/N B73, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-21A
- Registry model: [Grumman G-21A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-21a) (registry code 3951204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: B73
- Airframe hours: 18870
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wilson C. Edwards
- Registered owner: Wilson C Edwards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1987, 45 hours before
- Airport: Edwards Lucian Wells

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 72 in this make and model, 13,700 as pilot in command, 124 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 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 19870706031969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870706031969A), Jul 6, 1987: Grumav G21A, Big Spring, TX, Substantial damage. Fuel imbalance prior to total fuel exhaustion. Landed wheel up and nosed over. Fuel gauges difficult to read.

## Other investigations on N322 (2)

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 OAK70A0013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK70A0013-165089), Aug 18, 1969: Grumman G-21A (N322), Avalon, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX70A0010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70A0010), Aug 10, 1969: Grumman G-21A (N322), Avalon, CA, substantial damage

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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