# NTSB LAX89FA111: Cessna 340A, N8814K, Safford, AZ, February 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1989, 22:45 local (Feb 15, 1989, 05:45 UTC)
- Place: Safford, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.810714, -109.360076 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8107&lon=-109.3601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT AND THE RESULTANT HYPOXIA SUSTAINED IN THE UNPRESSURIZED AIRPLANE. FACTORS WERE:  THE MALFUNCTIONING PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE OPERATION WITH THAT KNOWN DISCREPANCY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, cruise - normal
  - air cond/heating/pressurization - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(anoxia/hypoxia), pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

DURING THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT AT FL250, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LEAVE THE COCKPIT AREA AND MOVE TO THE REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT TO ATTEND TO PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS. ALTHOUGH OXYGEN WAS AVAILABLE IN THE COCKPIT, SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE REAR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OPERATED WITH A KNOWN PRESSURIZATION SYSTEM DEFICIENCY WHICH LIMITED THE AIRPLANE TO FLIGHT TO 17,000 FEET MSL WHILE MAINTAINING A CABIN ALTITUDE OF 10,000 FEET. AFTER 2 HOURS AND 10 MINUTES, ATC DECLARED THE FLIGHT TO BE 'NO RADIO'. AT 3 HOURS AND 57 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE WAS PLOTTED ON RADAR IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN TO GROUND IMPACT. FUEL STARVATION RESULTED IN POWER LOSS TO THE LEFT ENGINE. PROPELLER SIGNATURES INDICATED POWER ON THE RIGHT PROPELLER AT IMPACT. THE PILOT'S BODY WAS FOUND IN THE AFT CABIN AREA ON THE AFT CABIN BULKHEAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8814K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8814K-1991-04-01), registration cancelled 1991-04-01, S/N 340A0988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A-0988
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sheldon L. Pollack Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 1980
- Departed: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Destination: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUS, 48 nm away

## 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 19890214002349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890214002349A), Feb 14, 1989: Cessna 340A, Safford, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted desert terrain and burned, possible hypoxia.

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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