# NTSB FTW88FA110: Cessna 320-F, N73AT, San Angelo, TX, May 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1988, 14:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.279142, -100.410751 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2791&lon=-100.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - crew/group briefing - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - 1 engine
  - touch-and-go - initiated, dual student
  - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, dual student
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - wrong propeller feathered - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DRG FAM FLT, CFI NOTED FUEL QUANTITY LOW WITH SELECTORS ON AUX FUEL TANKS. DRG ARC TO ILS APCH, CFI ALLOWED THE RT ENG TO FAIL DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. CFI SELECTED MAIN TKS AND OBTAINED RESTART. APCH WAS CONT TO A TOUCH AND GO LNDG PERFORMED BY THE ATP PLT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN THE LT SEAT. AS PWR WAS ADDED, THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE RT, DESPITE THEUSE OF FULL LT RUDDER. THE CFI DID NOT ABORT THE TKOF BECAUSE HE THOUGHT SWERVE WAS EITHER PLT INDUCED OR DUE TO ASSYMETRICAL PWR FROM MISMATCHED THROTTLE CONTROLS. NEAR THE RT EDGE OF THE RWY THE CFI TOOK CONTROL AND ROTATED. HE RPTD THAT ROTATION OCCURRED AT 96 MPH AND THAT HE EXPERIENCED LT ROLLING FORCES IMMEDIATELY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE. THE LT SEAT PLT RPTD THE SPEED TO BE 80 TO 90 MPH. THE CFI FEATHERED THE LT PROP SHORTLY BEFORE IMPACT IN A LAKE. THE RT ENG TEST RAN SUCCESSFULLY. THE LT ENG WAS DISASSEMBLED REVEALING NO MALFTNS. RT PROP DISASSEMBLY INDICATED LITTLE PWR AT IMPACT. THE LT SEAT PLT SAID THERE WAS NO FORMAL PRE-BRIEF AND THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS NEVER EXPLAINED TO HIM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73AT (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320-F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0035
- Airframe hours: 3739
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S. Customs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, March 25, 1988, 26 hours before
- Departed: SJT
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: SJT, San Angelo/Mathis, runway 3, 5,939 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 6,738 total, 76 in this make and model, 6,724 as pilot in command, 128 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 1 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 19880524024079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880524024079A), May 24, 1988: Cessna 320D, San Angelo, TX, Substantial damage. Crashed into water on climbout after engine lost power.

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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