# NTSB FTW91FA028: Folland Gnat T-1, N3XR, Bossier City, LA, January 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1991, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Bossier City, LA
- Location: 32.5160° N, 93.7321° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bossier City, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5160&lon=-93.7321&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23241
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23241/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA028

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO LACK OF FUEL.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND RADIO MALFUNCTION WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## 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)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - comm/nav equipment,transceiver - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A FLT FROM FLORIDA TO TEXAS, THE PLT MADE AN EN ROUTE STOP AT PANAMA CITY, FL & REFUELED.  AT 1043 CST, HE DEPD PANAMA CITY & PROCEEDED ON AN IFR FLT AT FLT LEVEL 310 TO DALLAS, TX. AT 1227 CST (AFTER MAKING A WX CHECK), HE CHANGED HIS DESTN & WAS CLEARED TO PROCEED DIRECT TO SHREVEPORT, LA. THE LAST TRANSMISSION FROM THE ACFT WAS AT 1134:50.  WHEN HE WAS CLRD TO DSCND TO FL 24O AT 1139, NO RADIO REPLY WAS RCVD.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLT DSCNDD & MADE AN APCH TO RWY 14 AT THE SHREVEPORT RGNL ARPT.  TOWER PSNL RPRTD THAT AFTER FLYING BY THE TOWER OR MAKING A MISSED APCH, RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT WAS LOST.  SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT TREES & CRASHED AFTER BEING AIRBORNE ABOUT 1.8 HRS.  IT HAD BEGUN THE FLT WITH AN ESTIMATED 1.5 HRS OF FUEL ON BOARD.  NO FUEL WAS FOUND TRAPPED IN THE LINES OR FILTER & NO EVIDENCE OF A FUEL SPILL WAS FOUND, THOUGH THE ACFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DMGD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3XR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3XR-1991-06-13), registration cancelled 1991-06-13, S/N FL587 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FOLLAND GNAT T-1
- Registry model: [Folland GNAT T 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/folland-gnat-t-1) (registry code 3570100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: FL587
- Engines: BRISTOL SIDLEY 701 4520 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson, Gary S., doing business as Gnati Incorporated
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL
- Destination: FTW, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SHV, Shreveport Regional, runway 14, 8,351 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SHV, 20 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 19910110000309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910110000309A), Jan 10, 1991: Amtrja GNAT, Bossier City, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed into trees. No fuel onboard. Low ceiling and visibility. Prior pass over airport. Very short fuel range.

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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