# NTSB NYC91LA010: Swearingen SA-26AT, N690X, Monongahela, PA, October 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1990, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Monongahela, PA
- Coordinates: 40.119136, -79.86061 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1191&lon=-79.8606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA010

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE MONITORING OF THE FUEL BURN WHICH RESULTED IN TOTAL FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRPLANE, AN ERRONEOUS FUEL QUANTITY INDICATION, AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE OWNER TO NOT ADD FUEL.

## 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
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS FROM MONONGAHELA TO PITTSBURGH TO TETERBORO,NJ, THEN RETURN TO PITTSBURGH AND BACK TO MONONGAHELA. THE FLIGHT DEPARTED MONONGAHELA WITH 100 GALS OF FUEL; 160 GALS WERE ADDED AT PITTSBURGH; AND 80 GALS WERE ADDED AT TETERBORO. THE PILOT WANTED TO ADD MORE FUEL AT TETERBORO BUT THE OWNER DID NOT DUE TO THE HIGHER COST OF FUEL AND THE FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS. DURING THE RETURN TRIP NO FUEL WAS ADDED AT PITTSBURGH BECAUSE THE PILOT DID NOT HAVE A CREDIT CARD PROVIDED BY THE OWNER OR MONEY TO BUY FUEL. THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A TWO-ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION WHILE APPROACHING THE MONONGAHELA AIRPORT. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE COCKPIT FUEL GAGES SHOWED A TOTAL OF 125 GALS IN THE LEFT TANK AND 90 GALS IN THE RIGHT TANK; THE READING REMAINED THE SAME WITH OR WITHOUT POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N690X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N690X-1990-12-17), registration cancelled 1990-12-17, S/N T26141 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA-26AT
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA-26AT](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa-26at) (registry code 8780112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T26-141
- Engines: GARRETT TPE-331-1-151 665 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Zagari & Associates
- Departed: PIT, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: G08, Rostraver

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,525 total, 21 in this make and model, 7,244 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19901012045069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901012045069A), Oct 12, 1990: Swrngn SA26AT, Monongahela, PA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Crash landed gear up in plowed field. Fuel gauges showed fuel. Misjudges fuel burn

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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