- Date
- November 20, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place
- Barre, MA
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N5321KRyan 260-B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report May 27, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19911120053089A
- Case key
- 37111
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
A total loss of engine power in cruise flight due to fuel starvation resulting in a forced landing and collapse of the landing gear during the landing roll. A factor related to the accident was a leaking fuel selector valve.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot experienced a power loss due to fuel starvation while en route. His altitude was insufficient to allow him to restart the engine or pick a landing area into the wind. The landing gear collapsed while landing with a strong crosswind. Post accident examination by the FAA showed the fuselage tank empty and usable fuel in both wing tanks. The spark plugs indicated exposure to heat and a lean mixture. The fuel selector valve was found to have an external leak. The pilot did not remember what tank he was selected when the power loss occurred. The FAA stated that based on the leaky valve, the capacity of the fuselage tank, and the length of the flight it was possible the pilot was selected to the fuselage tank and experienced fuel starvation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N5321K
- Reported as
- Ryan 260-B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- NAV-4-2221
- Engine
- Lycoming GO-435, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- John J. Horbal
- Registered owner
- John J. Horbal
- Last inspection
- Unknown · January 2, 2000
- Departed
- 63B · Limington, ME
- Destination
- OXC · Oxford, CT
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Flight hours
- 648 total · 48 in this make and model · 648 as pilot in command · 2 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 240° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 61 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.