# NTSB NYC84FHJ02: Cessna 305A, N5291G, East Moriches, NY, August 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1984, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: East Moriches, NY
- Coordinates: 40.810039, -72.75962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8100&lon=-72.7596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FHJ02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FHJ02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - engine assembly - undetermined (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

AT THE COMPLETION OF A BANNER TOW FLT THE BANNER WAS RELEASED AND A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TO DOWNWIND WAS INITIATED. A LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED ON DOWNWIND. UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT TO LAND, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A WOODED AREA. INVESTIGATORS FOUND 1.5 GALS OF FUEL IN THE RT TANK AND 8.5 GALS IN THE LT TANK. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, ABOUT 10 MINUES BEFORE DROPPING THE BANNER HE HAD INTENTIONALLY RUN THE RT TANK DRY. THE LT TANK WAS THEN SELECTED FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE FLT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND; THE ENGINE WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST RUN AFTER RECOVERY OF THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5291G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5291G), registered now, S/N 23413, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23413
- Airframe hours: 1808
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-11B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Spadaro, Bart
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1984, 16 hours before
- Departed: EAST MORICHES, NY
- Destination: EAST MORICHES, NY
- Airport: OB, Spadaro'S, runway 6, 2,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,570 total, 86 in this make and model, 1,482 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 18 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19840824046449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840824046449A), Aug 24, 1984: Cessna 305A, East Moriches, NY, Substantial damage. Engine quit after a banner tow. Crashed into trees near airport. No engine defects,indicates fuel mismanagement.

## Other investigations on N5291G (3)

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.

- [NTSB ERA16LA244](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA244), Jul 4, 2016: Cessna 305 (N5291G), Narragansett, RI, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine.
- [NTSB MIA85LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA119), Mar 14, 1985: Cessna 305A (N5291G), Sugar Loaf Key, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC82DA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA165), Jul 24, 1982: Cessna 305A (N5291G), Sagaponack, NY, substantial damage

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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