# NTSB NYC92LA034: Ryan 260-B, N5321K, Barre, MA, November 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 20, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Barre, MA
- Location: 42.4230° N, 72.1064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Barre, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4230&lon=-72.1064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37111
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37111/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA034

## 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

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,selector/valve - leak (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - crop

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RYAN 260-B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-2221
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 53; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19911120053089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911120053089A), Nov 20, 1991: Tmpson NAVIONB, Barre, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Collapsed gear landing crosswind in field. Center tank dry. Fuel selector valve leaking.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.