# NTSB NYC89LA196: Ryan ST-3KR, N239, Factoryville, PA, August 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1989, 16:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Factoryville, PA
- Coordinates: 41.560497, -75.780494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5605&lon=-75.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36463
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36463/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA196

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF THE FUEL SUPPLY, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE DITCH WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT RATED PILOT HAD WAITED OVER 1 HOUR FOR FUEL AND DECIDED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO GET FROM TOWANDA, PA TO SEAMANS AIRPORT, PA, SO HE DID NOT REFUEL. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN A FIELD 1-1/2 TO 2 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. DURING LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH & FLIPPED OVERON ITS BACK. AN ON-SITE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL WAS REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N239](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N239), registered now, S/N 1325, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST-3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1325
- Airframe hours: 2844
- Engines: KINNER R-56 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald H. Gertsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1989, 20 hours before
- Departed: N27, TOWANDA, PA
- Destination: 9N3, FACTORYVILLE, PA
- Airport: 9N3, Seamans Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 11,400 total, 190 in this make and model, 3,550 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890820030459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890820030459A), Aug 20, 1989: Ryan ST3KR, Factoryville, PA, Substantial damage. Too long to wait for fuel truck departed for another airport ran out of fuel two miles short. Hit ditch nosed over.

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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