# NTSB LAX83LA250: Cessna 337B, N2368S, Sedona, AZ, May 30, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1983, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939826, -111.940956 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9398&lon=-111.9410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA250
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA250

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - towing/advertising/external load equipment - not removed (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, landing - flare/touchdown
  - propeller feathering - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING AND COLLIDED WITH A PINE TREE AFTER A TAKEOFF WITH A TOW BAR ATTACHED TO THE NOSE GEAR. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ATTACHED A TOW BAR TO GET THE ACFT LEVEL TO MEASURE THE OIL QUANTITY IN THE ENGINE. AFTER THEPREFLT INSPECTION HE TAXIED OUT AND DEPARTED. AT THIS ARPT ALL DEPARTURES ARE ON RWY 21 AND ALL LANDINGS ARE ON RWY 3. THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROCEDURE. AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS INFORMED BY RADIO THAT A TOW BAR WAS ATTACHED TOHIS NOSE GEAR AND WAS IN A TRAILING POSITION. FOLLOWING A FLYBY THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RWY 21. ON FINAL APPROACHHE FEATHERED HIS FRONT ENGINE TO PRECLUDE DAMAGE DURING LANDING. HE WAS INFORMED BY RADIO HE WAS LANDING DOWNWIND. HE TRIED TO GO AROUND AND RESTART HIS ENGINE. WITH THE GEAR EXTENDED THE ACFT FAILED TO CLIMB. AS THE PILOT TRIED TO START THE ENGINE AND LINE UP ON RWY 3 HE WAS LOSING ALT AND AIRSPEED. ALMOST STALLING HE DECIDED TO LAND IN AN ADJACENT ROUGH FIELD. THE ACFT STOPPED AFTER IMPACTING A PINE TREE. DENSITY ALT WAS 7580 FT. THE ACFT WAS WITHIN 200 # OF GROSS WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2368S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0668
- Airframe hours: 3016
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David T. Sari
- Registered owner: Big Dave Golf Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1983, 3 hours before
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,135 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 703 total, 128 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F

## 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 19830530059049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830530059049A), May 30, 1983: Cessna 337B, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Tow bar attached on takeoff. Began 23 landing with front engine feathered then tried to go around due to tailwind.

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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