# NTSB LAX91DVW01: Melton MMI, N3934, Death Valley, CA, October 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1990, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Death Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.60083, -116.830184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6008&lon=-116.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26956
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91DVW01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26956/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91DVW01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INACCURATE CALCULATION OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AND HIS DECISION TO CONTINUE THE FLIGHT WITH A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DIRT EMBANKMENT AFTER MAKING AN EMERENCY LANDING IN THE DESERT. THE PILOT STATED THE AIRCRAFT FUEL CAPACITY IS 14 GALLONS AND SUBSEQUENT TO TAKEOFF THE DIRECT READING FUEL QUANTITY INDICATOR DID NOT INDICATE PROPERLY. TOWARD THE END OF THE FLIGHT THE GAUGE STARTED DECREASING RAPIDLY AND WAS INACCURATE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS AIRBORNE FOR OVER FOUR HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3934](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3934-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 207, built 1916 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MELTON MMI
- Registry model: [Midget Mustang MM-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/midget-mustang-mm-1) (registry code 16901TA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental PC60-6](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-pc60-6) (registry code 17010, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 207
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 200 CU. IN. 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Norval A. Ferguson
- Registered owner: Ferguson, Norval
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: RGB, ROSEBURG, OR
- Destination: FURNACE CREEK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total, 50 in this make and model, 2,800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 43 °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 19901004044099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901004044099A), Oct 4, 1990: Amtrbb MUSTANGMIDGT, Death Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landing on the desert, struck a dirt embankment.

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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