# NTSB LAX96LA039: Cessna 402B, N316HG, Redwood City, CA, November 4, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 3, 1995, 21:10 local (Nov 4, 1995, 05:10 UTC) - Place: Redwood City, CA - Coordinates: 37.459598, -122.240905 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4596&lon=-122.2409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29333 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA039 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29333/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA039 ## Probable cause the simultaneous total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING IN A MARSH SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. FAA INSPECTORS FOUND THE MAIN FUEL TANKS 3/4 FULL AND THE AUXILIARY AND WING LOCKER FUEL TANKS EMPTY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AS HE WAS DESCENDING THROUGH 1,200 FEET MSL ON FINAL APPROACH HE PLACED THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMPS ON LOW AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS HEARD A BACKFIRE AND LOST POWER ON BOTH ENGINES. HE VERIFIED ENGINE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROLS AND FUEL TANK SELECTOR FOR PROPER POSITION AND THEN EXECUTED AN OFF-AIRPORT FORCED LANDING. FAA INSPECTORS DETERMINED THE PILOT'S BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WAS 6 MONTHS PAST DUE. ## Factual narrative On November 3, 1995, about 2110 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 402B, N316HG, experienced a total loss of engine power and crashed into a marsh in Redwood City, California. The airplane was on final approach to runway 30 at the San Carlos Airport when both engines lost power. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The personal flight originated from Compton, California, about 1915. Examination of the airplane by inspectors from the FAA's San Jose Flight Standards District Office the morning after the accident revealed that the two wing locker fuel tanks and the two auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. The two main fuel tanks were approximately 3/4 full. The fuel tank selector controls were in the "off" positions. The inspectors also determined that the pilot's biennial flight review was 6 months past due. In his report to the NTSB the pilot stated that the aircraft was serviced before departure and had 140 gallons fuel aboard for the 1 hour 55 minute flight. The engines were fed from their respective main tanks for all but 20 minutes in the mid-portion of the flight when they were fed from their respective auxiliary tanks. He stated that when he reduced power on a 5-mile final approach he noted the engines running rough, but was able to restore smooth power with full rich mixture. Descending through 1,200 feet msl on final approach he placed the electric fuel pumps on low and within a few seconds heard a backfire and lost power on both engines. He verified engine fuel mixture controls and fuel tank selectors for proper position and then executed an off-airport forced landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N316HG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N316HG-1997-09-02), registration cancelled 1997-09-02, S/N 402B0016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B - Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 402B0016 - Airframe hours: 3511 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-EB 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald A. Torres - Registered owner: Heriberto Gomez, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1994, 212 hours before - Departed: CPM, COMPTON, CA - Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,969 total, 400 in this make and model, 3,562 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SQL, 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 19951103035929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951103035929A), Nov 3, 1995: Cessna 402B, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on final. Landed in swamp. Had just put fuel pumps on low. Engine backfired and quit. No biennial review 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.