# NTSB MIA94LA093: SIAI-Marchetti F-260-C, N260CB, Opa-Locka, FL, March 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1994, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Opa-Locka, FL
- Coordinates: 26.030029, -80.239738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0300&lon=-80.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37509
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37509/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA093

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ASSURE PROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS NO. 2 IN A FLIGHT OF 2 FOR LANDING AFTER A SIMULATED AERIAL COMBAT FLIGHT. ON FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A CEMETERY.  THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING.  INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TANKS AND THE 'SEE-THROUGH' GASCOLATOR WAS EMPTY.

## Factual narrative

On March 13, 1994, about 1415 eastern standard time, N260CB, a Sia Marchetti F-260-C, operated by Air Combat USA Inc., crashed on approach to Opa-Locka Airport, Opa-Locka, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 acrobatic flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries and the passenger received serious injuries. The flight had originated about 1 hour 30 minutes earlier.

The airplane was number two of a flight of two for landing when the engine failed on final approach. The pilot executed a forced landing to a cemetery off the airport. Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed the fuel selector handle was positioned between the right and left main fuel tanks, and the "see through" gascolator was empty. A review of the onboard video and audio recording revealed no verbal use of the prelanding checklist.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N260CB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SIAI-Marchetti F-260-C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 303
- Airframe hours: 3896
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-E4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Air Combat USA Inc.
- Registered owner: Blackstone, Mike E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1994, 59 hours before
- Departed: OPF
- Destination: OPF, OPA LOCKA, FL
- Airport: OPF, Opa-Locka

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,490 total, 195 in this make and model, 1,213 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OPF, 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 19940313004889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940313004889A), Mar 13, 1994: Mrchti F260C, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. NR2 in flight of 2 on landing approach. Lost power. Landed in cemetary. Hit markers. Fuel selector between tanks.

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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