# NTSB MIA93LA196: Sukhoi SU-26M, N26CY, Natchez, MS, September 16, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1993, 17:34 local (22:34 UTC)
- Place: Natchez, MS
- Location: 31.5424° N, 91.3856° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Natchez, MS, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5424&lon=-91.3856&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA196

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY  CALCULATE FUEL CONSUMPTION RESULTING IN TOTAL  LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION  WHILE APPROACHING THE DESTINATION AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE DESCENDING TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT AFTER 2 HOURS AND 20 MINUTES OF FLYING. THE OWNER OF THE AIRCRAFT STATED THE AIRCRAFT HAD A USABLE FUEL CAPACITY OF 50 GALLONS AND CONSUMED BETWEEN 20 AND 21 GALLONS PER HOUR.

## Factual narrative

On September 16, 1993, at 1734 central daylight time, a Sukhoi SU-26M, N26CY, registered to Pompano Air Center, Inc., crashed into trees while making a forced landing following loss of engine power at Natchez, Mississippi, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated at Panama City, Florida, on September 16, 1993, at 1512.

The pilot stated that while 4 miles from the Natchez-Adams County Airport, descending through 1,200 feet msl to airport pattern altitude, the engine failed. While performing a forced landing the aircraft crashed in a wooded area. He stated he had flown 2 hours 20 minutes since departure.

The registered owner of the aircraft stated the aircraft has a 50-gallon usable fuel capacity and that under normal conditions will consume an average of 20 gallons of fuel per hour.

The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he flew from Cross City, Florida to Panama City, Florida in 1 hour. On departure from Cross City the aircraft's fuel tanks were full. On arrival at Panama City the fuel tanks were filled, requiring 20.8 gallons. See attached FAA inspectors report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26CY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26CY-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 0609, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SUKHOI SU-26M
- Registry model: [Sukhoi SU-26M](https://openairdocs.org/model/sukhoi-su-26m) (registry code 9850100) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0609
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: Vendeneyev M-14P 360 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Crofton-Sleigh, Richard H.
- Registered owner: Pompano Air Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 15, 1993, 5 hours before
- Departed: PFN, PANAMA CITY, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,360 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,286 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HEZ, 3 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 19930916034449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930916034449A), Sep 16, 1993: Sukhoi SU26M, Natchez, MS, Substantial damage. Reported powerloss on approach to airport. Landed short in wooded area. Cause undetermined.

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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