# NTSB NYC88LA150: Cessna 305A, N5202G, Colts Neck, NJ, May 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 29, 1988, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Colts Neck, NJ
- Location: 40.2876° N, 74.1724° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colts Neck, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2876&lon=-74.1724&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA150

## Probable cause

LOSS OF POWER DUE OT VAPOR LOCK OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING AND COLLISION WITH AN OBJECT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - other (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER PICKING UP THE BANNER TO BE TOWED, ENG RPM BEGAN TO DROP. HE SWITCHED TANKS AND DROPPED THE BANNER BUT ALTITUDE STILL COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED. A LANDING WAS SET UP AND THE FLAPS SET AT 45 DEGREES. TOUCHDOWN WAS IN A LAND FILL AND DURING LANDING ROLL OUT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A 10' HIGH CHAIN LINK FENCE. AIRCRAFT HAD STC FOR AUTO FUEL AND AUTO FUEL WAS USED. TEMPERATURE WAS 92 DEGREES AND THE OPERATOR SAID THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED VAPOR LOCK WITH SOME OF HIS OTHER AIRCRAFT THAT DAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5202G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22433
- Airframe hours: 3820
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Airways Advertising
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1988, 6 hours before
- Departed: COLTS NECK, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,598 total, 496 in this make and model, 2,843 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19880529071609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880529071609A), May 29, 1988: Cessna 305A, Colts Neck, NJ, Substantial damage. Rpms dropped after banner tow pickup. Dropped banner. Unable climb. Struck fence landing. Vapor lock. High temp.

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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