# NTSB LAX90FA209: Cessna 208A, N803FE, Fresno, CA, June 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1990, 17:15 local (Jun 7, 1990, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.749046, -119.669113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7490&lon=-119.6691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26632
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26632/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA209

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE OIL FILLER CAP BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS LANDING APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERSHOOT AND COLLISION WITH OBJECTS. A TAILWIND CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERSHOOT.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - leak (cause)
  - maintenance,adjustment - improper, unknown (cause)
  - fluid,oil - pressure too low (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Overrun, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESS WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6,000 FT, AND THE PILOT REQUESTED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. ATC INFORMED THE PILOT OF A CLOSER AIRPORT. THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE, FEATHERED THE PROP, AND MADE A POWER-OFF DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND APPROACH TO RWY 12L DUE TO HIS ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE OVERFLEW THE RUNWAY AND TOUCHED DOWN PAST THE DEPARTURE END. IT PENETRATED THE AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE, STRUCK SEVERAL TREES, A SIGN POST, A LIGHT POLE, AND AN AUTO BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE LOSS OF PRESSURE WAS DUE TO OIL LEAKING. THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS FOUND IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AFTER THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION. THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL DOES NOT APPROVE ANY FIELD REPAIRS ON THE OIL FILLER CAP ENGAGING MECHANISMS. THE AIRPLANE'S FLAPS WERE FOUND AT A 7 DEG INTERMEDIATE SETTING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N803FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N803FE-1991-01-07), registration cancelled 1991-01-07, S/N 20800015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208A
- Registry model: [Cessna 208A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208a) (registry code 2073703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208 0015
- Engines: P&W PT6-114A 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: West Air Industries
- Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, March 6, 1990, 82 hours before
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: FCH, Fresno-Chandler Downtown, runway 12, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,275 total, 335 in this make and model, 9,060 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 55 °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 19900606018919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900606018919A), Jun 6, 1990: Cessna 208A, Fresno, CA, Destroyed. Lost oil and oil pressure. Shut down and feathered. Overran runway downwind oil filler cap improperly installed.

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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