# NTSB LAX82FA344: Cessna 402, N59SA, Grand Canyon, AZ, September 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1982, 12:58 local (19:58 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029144, -112.019081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0291&lon=-112.0191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 6 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA344

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
  - landing gear,nose gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE 3RD FLT OF THE DAY. THE PLT COMPLETED A SERVICE ORDER FOR 32 GALS OF FUEL & LAID IT ON TOP OF A BENCH LOCATED JUST INSIDE OPEN HANGAR DOORS. THE ACFT WAS NOT REFUELED & THE ORDER WAS LATER FOUND ON THE HANGAR FLOOR AWAY FROM THE BENCH. WHILE OVER THE GRAND CANYON AT 7,500 FT THE LEFT ENG QUIT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGES INDICATED EMPTY. THE PLT HEADED FOR THE CANYON RIM & CLEARED THE RIM BY ABOUT 500 FT AGL. HE ADVISED HIS COMPANY HE WOULD TRY TO MAKE THE ARPT OR LAND IN THE CLEARING. THE RIGHT ENG QUIT & THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING COLLAPSING THE GEAR. THE RIGHT MAIN(TIP), LEFT MAIN(TIP) & LEFT AUX TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE RIGHT AUX TANK CONTAINED 5 GALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59SA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59SA-1982-12-07), registration cancelled 1982-12-07, S/N 402-0313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402
- Registry model: [Cessna 402](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402) (registry code 207590K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-313
- Airframe hours: 12343
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Scenic Airlines Inc.
- Registered owner: Scenic Airlines Inc.
- Departed: C, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: C, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon Nat'L Park

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,446 total, 850 in this make and model, 3,720 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820914046549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820914046549A), Sep 14, 1982: Cessna 402CESSNA, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local sightseeing flight. Crash landed in a rough field. Failed to preflight. Fuel in auxiliary.

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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