# NTSB NYC87LA033: Cessna 33TC, N2581S, Phillipsburg, PA, November 14, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1986, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Phillipsburg, PA
- Coordinates: 40.88964, -78.210105 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8896&lon=-78.2101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight
  - fuel tank selector position - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 337 EXPERIENCED ENGINE SURGING AND PLT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT AN AIRPORT WHILE ENROUTE TO DESTINATION.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED 200 FT SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHILE THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE NOT INJURED.  ON SCENE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FOUND FUEL IN THE AUXILIARY TANKS. WHEN THE PILOT WAS INTERVIEWED, IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE PILOT DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE FUEL SELECTORS ON THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT THOUGHT HE WAS SELECTING THE AUXILIARY TANK WHEN IN FACT HE WAS SWITCHING FROM ONE MAIN TANK TO ANOTHER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2581S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2581S-1990-02-13), registration cancelled 1990-02-13, S/N 3370881 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 33TC
- Registry model: [Cessna 337C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337c) (registry code 2075712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul Malone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ORANGE STATE, MD
- Destination: 8G5, ST. MARYS, PA
- Airport: PSB, Phillipsburg/Mid-State, runway 16, 5,711 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,750 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 7 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UNV, 11 nm away

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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