# NTSB MIA90LA073: Forney 415-CD, N3358H, Tavernier, FL, February 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1990, 14:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Tavernier, FL
- Coordinates: 25.010478, -80.510536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0105&lon=-80.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32626
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32626/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA073

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PRESENCE OF TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, cruise - normal
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 2500 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING, THEN STARTED AND QUIT AGAIN. HE ATTEMPTED A RESTART WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS. SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRPLANE CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 1000 FEET FROM A PRIVATE AIRFIELD. FIREMEN THAT RESPONDED TO THE CRASH SITE REPORTED ALL FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY RUPTURED FUEL CELL, LINES OR SPILLAGE AT THE CRASH SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3358H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3358H-1992-05-19), registration cancelled 1992-05-19, S/N 3983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Forney 415-CD
- Registry model: [Forney 415-CD](https://openairdocs.org/model/forney-415-cd) (registry code 0420334) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3983
- Airframe hours: 2902
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rich, Dennis B.
- Registered owner: Shekman, Gerald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1989, 25 hours before
- Departed: X-51, HOMESTEAD, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 3,950 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HST, 40 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 19900225002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900225002609A), Feb 25, 1990: Univar 415CD, Tavernier, FL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route near a private strip. Aircraft fueled one month prior to 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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