# NTSB FTW90FA171: Cessna 320, N377S, Center, TX, August 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1990, 11:17 local (16:17 UTC)
- Place: Center, TX
- Coordinates: 31.789426, -94.169898 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7894&lon=-94.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA171

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED (VMC) AND LACK OF QUALIFICATION/TRAINING IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE LEFT ENGINE TURBOCHARGER, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,total (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A DAY VMC DEPARTURE FROM AN ESTABLISHED AIRPORT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER IN THE LEFT ENGINE DUE TO A TURBOCHARGER FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO AN INVERTED POSITION AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLABLY TO GROUND IMPACT. THE PILOT/OWNER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THE PILOT WAS CERTIFICATED FOR SINGLE ENGINE LAND ONLY AND HAD NO KNOWN TRAINING IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N377S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N377S-1991-06-05), registration cancelled 1991-06-05, S/N 3200057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 320
- Registry model: [Cessna 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320) (registry code 2074502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 320-0057
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bailey, Glenn N.
- Departed: F17, CENTER, TX
- Airport: F17, Center, runway 34, 4,010 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: LFK, 43 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 19900830037469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900830037469A), Aug 30, 1990: Cessna 320, Center, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Left turbocharger failed on climbout. Rolled inverted and crashed. Not MEL rated. No checkout.

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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