# NTSB NYC90LA014: Cessna T337G, N197, Pittsburgh, PA, October 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1989, 22:36 local (Oct 19, 1989, 02:36 UTC)
- Place: Pittsburgh, PA
- Coordinates: 40.439743, -79.960266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4397&lon=-79.9603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION, AND DIVERTING OF HIS ATTENTION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION TO BOTH ENGINES. DARKNESS AND TREES IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA WERE RELATED FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - hydraulic system - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - fluid,hydraulic - leak (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - inoperative
  - landing gear,emergency extension assembly - inoperative
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, other
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DIVERTED TO ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT TO AVOID WEATHER AND TO REFUEL. DURING A VECTOR TO FINAL APPROACH, THE LANDING GEAR WOULD NOT EXTEND. FOR ABOUT 1 HR AND 10 MIN, THE PILOT TRIED TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. HE DECIDED TO MAKE A GEAR UP LANDING; HOWEVER. BEFORE REACHING THE AIRPORT, FUEL TO BOTH ENGINES WAS EXHAUSTED. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO TREES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AN INVESTIGATION SHOWED THERE WAS A HYDRAULIC LEAK ON THE NOSE GEAR DOOR ACTUATOR AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID. AFTER THE LEAK WAS REPAIRED AND THE SYSTEM WAS FILLED WITH HYDRAULIC FLUID, THE LANDING GEAR OPERATED WITH USE OF THE POWER PACK OR HAND PUMP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N197](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N197-1992-04-23), registration cancelled 1992-04-23, S/N P3370203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T337G
- Registry model: [Cessna T337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337g) (registry code 2075726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P3370203
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO 360-CB-5 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Harder
- Departed: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AGC, Allegheny Co

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,856 total, 2,848 in this make and model, 3,779 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- 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 19891018041399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891018041399A), Oct 18, 1989: Cessna T337G, Pittsburgh, PA, Destroyed. Unable extend gear. Circled over an hour still unable. Planned gear up ldg. Out of fuel on final landed in trees.

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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