# NTSB LAX85FA376: Cessna T303, N6490V, Simi Valley, CA, August 31, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1985, 17:36 local (Aug 31, 1985, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Simi Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249256, -118.780303 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2493&lon=-118.7803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24531
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA376
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24531/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA376

## 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, maneuvering
  - fuel system,line - leak (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, manufacturer (cause)
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - leak (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,line fitting - cracked (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. THE STUDENT PLT STATED THE FLT WAS NORMAL UNTIL A 'VIOLENT RIGHT YAW' DEVELOPED WHEN THE TROTTLES WERE ADVANCED TO RECOVER FROM A PRACTICE STALL. AS THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND ATTEPTED RECOVERY A 'SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER' OCCURRED ON BOTH ENGS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FLD DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AND THE ACFT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY DISCREPANCIES. DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ON THE RIGHT ENG. 1) THE FUEL CONTROLLER FUEL LINE 'TEE' FITTING WAS CRACKED AROUND 50% OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. (DUCTILE OVERLOAD) 2) THE TURBOCHARGER GASKET ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE TURBINE SHOWED LEAKAGE AOUND 70% OF THE GASKET ARE. THE ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF SYMPTOMS OF FUEL VAPORIZATION WHICH SUBSIDED WITH USE OF THE AUX FUEL PUMP AS THE ENG MANUFACTORER SUGGESTS. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE AUX PUMP WAS USED DURING THIS ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6490V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6490V-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N T30300312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T303
- Registry model: [Cessna T303](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t303) (registry code 2073820) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T30300312
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-AE 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gunnell Aviation
- Registered owner: Raymond J. Risher,P.F.Margo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,365 total, 127 in this make and model, 3,240 as pilot in command, 178 in the last 90 days, 112 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19850830042369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850830042369A), Aug 30, 1985: Cessna T303, Simi Valley, CA, Destroyed. Right engine fuel controller tee fitting cracked, turbocharger gasket leaked. Left engine also quit. Vapor lock.

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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