# NTSB LAX91LA104: Cessna 340A, N5350J, Truckee, CA, February 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 17, 1991, 10:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3201° N, 120.1396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TRUCKEE-TAHOE (TRK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3201&lon=-120.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA104

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE CORRECT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WHEN HE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE ENGINE PROBLEMS AND IMPROPERLY USED THE FUEL BOOST PUMPS CONTRARY TO THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK.  THE INITIAL CAUSE OF THE ENGINE SURGING COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 1 engine
  - 1 engine - undetermined
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - all engines
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear strut - overload

## Analysis

DURING THE DESCENT TO THE HIGH ALTITUDE AIRPORT THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE.  THE PILOT RESET THE POWER AND MIXTURE CONTROLS BUT TO NO AVAIL. WHEN ON THE BASE LEG TO THE RUNWAY THE PILOT TURNED ON BOTH FUEL PUMPS, CONTRARY TO THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK.  WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY AND THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO BOTH ENGINES, BUT NONE AVAILABLE.  THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT AND THE AIRPLANE UNDERSHOT THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH ABOUT A 3 FOOT HOLE COLLAPSING THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.  SUBSEQUENT ENGINE RUN TESTS COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE INITIAL SURGING DUE TO LIMITATIONS OF THE TEST CLUB, BUT WITH THE MIXTURE RICH AND BOTH BOOST PUMPS ON HIGH, BOTH ENGINES QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5350J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0968
- Airframe hours: 640
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Johnson
- Registered owner: Frank Johnson
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1991, 15 hours before
- Departed: IZA, SANTA YNEZ, CA
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 1, 4,650 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,224 total, 390 in this make and model, 2,913 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK, 1 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 19910217002569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910217002569A), Feb 17, 1991: Cessna 340A, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Used high boost and rich mixture on high altitude landing. Both engines quit on final. Landed short. Lost control.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.