# NTSB MKC88LA177: Aerospatiale TB-20, N31TB, Omaha, NE, September 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1988, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Omaha, NE
- Location: 41.3032° N, 95.8941° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EPPLEY AIRFIELD (OMA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3032&lon=-95.8941&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 12, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC88LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC88LA177

## 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 - low level (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - fuel system,electric boost pump - output low (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - not attained
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 150' TO 200' AGL ON FINAL APCH, THE ENG LOST PWR & WOULD NOT RESTART. UNABLE TO RCH THE RWY, HE LNDD ABOUT 50' SHORT ON SOFT TRRN, WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT WAS DMGD. ONLY ABOUT 12 OUNCES OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE LEFT TANK, BUT 13 GAL WAS FND IN THE RGT TANK. DRG POST-ACDNT CHECKS, 3 GAL OF FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE LEFT TANK. HOWEVER, THE ENG WOULD NOT START IRREGARDLESS OF THE FUEL SELECTOR PSN. WHEN AN INDEPENDENT FUEL SOURCE WAS CONNECTED TO THE INLET FUEL LINE, THE ENG STARTED & OPERATED NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN THE ENG WAS RECONNECTED TO THE ACFT FUEL SYS, IT RAN ONLY BRIEFLY & WOULD NOT RESTART, EVEN THOUGH FUEL IN THE TANKS EXCEEDED THE UNUSABLE LVL OF 1.3 GAL/TANK. A TEST OF THE BOOST PUMP SHOWED THAT AT 23 PSI, ITS FLOW RATE WAS 9 GPH; THE PUMP SPECIFICATION WAS FOR 35 GPH AT 23 PSI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31TB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31TB), registered now, S/N 483 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROSPATIALE TB-20
- Registry model: [Socata TB-20 TRINIDAD](https://openairdocs.org/model/socata-tb-20-trinidad) (registry code 8680695) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 483
- Airframe hours: 1024
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-C4D5D 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walker, Karl C.
- Registered owner: Walker, Karl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 21, 1988, 9 hours before
- Departed: MLI, MOLINE, IL
- Destination: OMA, OMAHA, NE
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OMA, Eppley, runway 17, 8,153 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 23 in this make and model, 206 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMA, 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 19880925040129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880925040129A), Sep 25, 1988: Socata TB20TRINIDAD, Omaha, NE, Substantial damage. Engine failed on final impacted short of runway. Fuel system service bulletin not complied with.

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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