# NTSB NYC91LA127: Cessna 414A, N222SV, Piqua, OH, May 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1991, 15:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Piqua, OH
- Coordinates: 40.140361, -84.250183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1404&lon=-84.2502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INCOMPLETE PREFLIGHT OF THE FUEL QUANTITY AND THE INACCURATE FUEL GAGES, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION AND TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT FUEL MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES AND HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - incorrect (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, standing
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLIGHT IN THIS MODEL AIRPLANE.  ON FINAL APPROACH, AT APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, BOTH ENGINES QUIT.  HE LANDED THE AIRPLANE IN A FIELD SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  DURING THE INVESTIGATION, THE PILOT STATED, 'I DID NOT CHECK THE FUEL TANKS VISUALLY.'  HE ALSO SAID, 'I DID NOT USE THE AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMPS.' THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK HAD 3/4 OF A GALLON AND THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK HAD 3 1/4 GALLONS. THE INVESTIGATION ALSO REVEALED THE RIGHT FUEL TANK GAGE READ APPROXIMATELY 25 GALLONS HIGH, AND THE LEFT MAIN FUEL TANK GAGE READ APPROXIMATELY 15 GALLONS HIGH.  THE CESSNA FLIGHT HANDBOOK, BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST STATES IN PART: ITEM #4, AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMPS ON.  THE AIRPLANE MANUFACTURER SAYS WITHOUT USING THE AUXILIARY FUEL BOOST PUMPS, ANY INTERRUPTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO EXPERIENCE FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N222SV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N222SV), registered now, S/N 414-0164 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414A
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 414-0164
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-JCN 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: K.K. Leasing, Inc.
- Registered owner: [K.K. Leasing, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: I65, RICHMOND, IN
- Airport: I17, Piqua

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 716 total, 11 in this make and model, 589 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19910507014409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910507014409A), May 7, 1991: Cessna 414A, Piqua, OH, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion stopped both engines during first solo. Low fuel,inaccurate gauges,no visual check boost pump off.

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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