# NTSB FTW87LA221: Cessna 340A, N5449G, Lubbock, TX, September 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1987, 01:52 local (06:52 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.590774, -101.849029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5908&lon=-101.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR MENTION TO THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT HIS FUEL WAS LOW. HE WAS FIRST TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 17R BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 26. (THIS WAS TO ALLOW A DEA AIRCRAFT, AT ITS PILOT'S REQUEST, TO LAND BEFORE THE CESSNA 340A AIRCRAFT. DEA AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN TRAILING THE CESSNA SINCE IT CROSSED THE BORDER FROM MEXICO INTO THE UNITED STATES). SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CESSNA PILOT INFORMED THE LUBBOCK CONTROL TOWER THAT HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 17. THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND IMPACTED IN A COTTON FIELD ABOUT TWO MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BEFORE THE LANDING COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REPORTEDLY REVEALED THAT ILLEGAL CARGO WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5449G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5449G-1990-04-11), registration cancelled 1990-04-11, S/N 340A0686 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0686
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J-Lyte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: LBB, LUBBOCK, TX
- Airport: LBB, Lubbock Int'L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LBB, 4 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 19870917053379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870917053379A), Sep 17, 1987: Cessna 340A, Lubbock, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Both engines quit turning final due to fuel starvation from fuel mismanagment. Pilot was being chased by dea plane.

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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