# NTSB LAX87LA177: Cessna T303, N2225C, Santa Maria, CA, April 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1987, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Maria, CA
- Coordinates: 34.910606, -120.229576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9106&lon=-120.2296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA177

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,tank - low level (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - insufficient standards/requirements, company/operator mgmt (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, other person (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - gear extension - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA T303 COLLIDED W THE LOC ANTENNA AFT A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR IN BOTH ENGS WHILE ON FINAL APP TO RWY 30.  THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGS FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FLT MADE 5 STOPS TO PICK-UP AND DROP OFF CARGO AND IS NORMALLY FLOWN DAILY BY DIFFERENT PLTS. THE ACFT IS NOT REFUELED AT THE DEPT POINT WHERE IT IS BASED BUT RATHER AT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROCEDURE, THE ACFT IS NOT FULLY FUELED PRIOR TO THE DAYS FLT AND THE FUEL LEVEL CAN ONLY BE ESTIMATED BY VISUAL INSPECTION DURING PREFLT. THE PLT HAD QUESTIONED THE CHIEF PLT ABT THE PROCEDURE AND THE FUEL LEVEL 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS 'OK'. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED THE PRECEEDING DAY AT THE INTERMEDIATE STOP. THE PLT STATED THAT AFT LOWERING THE GEAR ON FINAL APP, THE ACFT LOST 150 TO 200 FEET AND COLLIDED W THE ANTENNA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2225C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2225C-1989-04-25), registration cancelled 1989-04-25, S/N T30300070 (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: T30300070
- Airframe hours: 580
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-AE 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Compucraft Data Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 25, 1987, 98 hours before
- Departed: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: SMX, SANTA MARIA, CA
- Airport: SMX, Santa Maria Public, runway 30, 6,300 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,965 total, 51 in this make and model, 1,756 as pilot in command, 279 in the last 90 days, 86 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMX

## 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 19870414009299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870414009299A), Apr 14, 1987: Cessna T303, Santa Maria, CA, Substantial damage. Collided with the localizer antenna after power loss on final due to fuel exhaustion. Failed to delay gear lowering

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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