# NTSB LAX90LA110: Cessna 208B, N851FE, Lanai, HI, March 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 6, 1990, 12:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Lanai, HI
- Coordinates: 20.830101, -156.919204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.8301&lon=-156.9192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA110

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF THE GLIDE PATH ANGLE WHILE EXECUTING A FORCED LANDING AT THE LANAI AIRPORT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SECURE THE OIL FILTER CAP PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - single engine aircraft
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - loose (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil filler cap - not secured (cause)
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT HE SERVICED THE OIL QUATITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN LEVEL CRUISE ABOUT EIGHT MILES FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT SAW THE PIL PRESSURE FLUCTUATING, THEN BEGIN DECREASING, WITH A CORRESPONDING DECREASE IN ENGINE TORQUE OUTPUT. THE PILOT FOLLOWED THE CHECKLIST AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS OVER THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT SET UP A SPIRAL OVER THE AIRPORT TO LOSE ALTITUDE IN PREPARATION FOR A POWER OFF FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT SAID HE LET THE AIRCRAFT GET TOO LOW WHILE LINING UP FOR THE RUNWAY AND LANDED SHORT IN A FIELD. FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND THE ENGINE AT THE SITE AND FOUND OIL COVERING THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LOWER FUSELAGE. THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS FOUND LOOSE IN THE FILLER NECK. NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKAGE WAS NOTED TO ANY PART OF THE ENGINE OR OIL LINES. THE 'O' RINGS IN THE OIL FILLER NECK WERE FOUND IN PLACE AND THE FILLER NECK WAS FOUND ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE WITH THE CORRECT TORQUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N851FE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N851FE), registered now, S/N 208B0166, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208B
- Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52034, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 208B0166
- Airframe hours: 580
- Engines: P&W PT-6-A114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Corporate Air
- Registered owner: Federal Express Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, January 15, 1990, 80 hours before
- Departed: PHNL, HONOLULU, HI
- Destination: KOA, KONA, HI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PHNY, Lanai, runway 3, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,961 total, 798 in this make and model, 2,770 as pilot in command, 201 in the last 90 days, 64 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19900306003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900306003429A), Mar 6, 1990: Cessna 208B, Lanai City, HI, Substantial damage. Ran out of oil over an airport. Shut engine down but undershot runway trying to land. Oil cap not secured for flight

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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