# NTSB NYC89LA098: Cessna 337, N2265X, Bethel, NY, March 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1989, 20:45 local (Mar 10, 1989, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, NY
- Coordinates: 41.679126, -74.869285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6791&lon=-74.8693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36384
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36384/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA098

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT CONCERNING HIS FUEL MANAGEMENT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  THE FALSE INDICATION FROM THE FUEL QUANTITY GAGE(S), DARK NIGHT, AND TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT FROM MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA TO NEWBURGH, NEW YORK, THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AND BOTH ENGINES STOPPED RUNNING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO TREES AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT. HE RPRTED THAT WHEN THE ENGINES STOPPED RUNNING, THE FUEL GAGES SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT STILL HAD FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2265X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2265X-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 337-0165, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337
- Registry model: [Cessna 337](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337) (registry code 2075702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0165
- Airframe hours: 4210
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tachnology Sys.Of Roseville
- Registered owner: Tachnology Systems Of Rosevill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 29, 1988
- Departed: ANOKA, MN
- Destination: SWF, NEWBURGH, NY
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 875 total, 5 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19890309003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890309003419A), Mar 9, 1989: Cessna 337, Bethel, NY, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel en route at night and crash landed in trees. Airworthiness directive on vented fuel caps not done.

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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