# NTSB LAX83LA157: Cessna 401, N401G, Near Globe, AZ, March 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1983, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Near Globe, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.620506, -110.699417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6205&lon=-110.6994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA157

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS CRUISING AT 13000 FEET MSL ON A CROSS COUNTRY WHEN THE ENGINES LOST POWER. THE PILOT HAD BEEN USING FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER BEING ON THE AUX. TANKS FOR THE PREVIOUS HOUR. THE PILOT RESTARTED BOTH ENGINES ON THE AUX. TANKS AND USED THESE TANKS UNTIL THEY RAN DRY. HE THEN SWITCHED BACK TO MAIN TANKS AND AFTER 3 MINUTES THE ENGINES LOST POWER. THE FIRST POWER LOSS OCCURRED JUST AFTER THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED LIGHT ICING. AFTER THIS FIRST POWER LOSS ALBUQUERQUE CENTER WANTED TO VECTOR ACFT TO GLOBE AIRPORT BUT PILOT ELECTED TO CONTINUE ON TO PHOENIX. AFTER THE 2ND LOSS OF POWER THE PILOT HAD TO LAND OFF AIRPORT ON A SAND BAR. THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILED TO REVEAL ANY REASON FOR POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N401G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0310
- Airframe hours: 2861
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1982, 40 hours before
- Departed: Q64, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Destination: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 220 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830324011339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830324011339A), Mar 24, 1983: Cessna 401, Globe, AZ, Substantial damage. Both engines quit en route which indicates unknown fuel problem. Landed gear up on sandbar. Possible vent ice.

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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