# NTSB MKC90FA020: Cessna 402B, N6382X, Little Rock, AR, October 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1989, 02:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Little Rock, AR
- Coordinates: 34.729728, -92.230812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7297&lon=-92.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34874/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90FA020

## Probable cause

A LEAK IN THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN AN IN-FLIGHT FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FUEL LEAK WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - fuel system - leak (cause)
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
  - wing - fire (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - object - pole

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER SITTING IN THE COPILOT'S SEAT STATED THAT SHE SAW FIRE COMING FROM THE RIGHT WING AND ENGINE AREA. SHE STATED THAT SHE COULD SEE A BRIGHT 'GLOW' BENEATH THE SKIN OF THE WING. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A FREEWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A LIGHT POLE ON THE HIGHWAY MEDIAN. HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE WAS FOUND IN THE AFT PORTION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE NACELLE & RIGHT FLAP ASSEMBLY. IN ADDITION, HEAVY FIRE AND SOOT WERE EVIDENT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE RIGHT WING ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6382X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6382X-1992-02-21), registration cancelled 1992-02-21, S/N 402B1345 (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: 1345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Springdale Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 8, 1989
- Departed: LIT, LITTLE ROCK, AR
- Destination: ASG, SPRINGDALE, AR
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,000 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LIT, 258 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 19891029043369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891029043369A), Oct 29, 1989: Cessna 402B, Little Rock, AR, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Backfire in right engine and fire in wing. Crash landed on a freeway.

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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