# NTSB SEA85FA056: Gulfstream AC-680F, N233W, Central Point, OR, February 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1985, 12:48 local (20:48 UTC)
- Place: Central Point, OR
- Coordinates: 42.390888, -122.930557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3909&lon=-122.9306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40033
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40033/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft manuals, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - undetermined (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED A LOSS OF POWER ON BOTH ENGS DURING DESCENT TO LAND. APRX 3 MINS PRIOR, TWR GAVE PLT OPTION OF 'STRAIGHT-IN' TO RWY 14 OR REG PATTERN TO RWY 32. THE PLT HESITATED & SAID 'JUST A MINUTE' & TWR OFFERED WIND INFO AS '210 AT 13.' PLT REPLIED, 'KAY.' APRX 1 MIN LATER PLT SAID '33W WILL MAKE A LEFT BASE FOR 14.' TWR CLEARED HIM & DECLARED VISUAL CONTACT. PLT ACKNOWLEDGED '3WHISKEY.' ONE MIN & 54 SECS LATER, PLT DECLARED PWR LOSS & EMERG. TWR ROGERED. SEVEN SECS LATER, PLT SAID 'GONNA HIT IT' FOLLOWED 2 SECS LATER WITH AN UNITELLIGIBLE COMMENT. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT GLIDING WINGS LVL TOWARD RWY WHEN A LOUD 'REV' WAS HEARD, THE ACFT PITCHED UP & ROLLED LEFT TO AN INVERTED POSITION BEFORE GROUND CONTACT & EXPLOSION. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY ENG OR FUEL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. THIS ACFT HAD EXPERIENCED A PWR LOSS AFTER DESCENDING FROM 15500 TO 12000 FT MSL ON 2/2/85 WITH THE SAME PLT AS REPORTED BY THE CO-PLT ON THAT FLT. AFTER APRX 1 1/2 MINUTES PWR WAS RESTORED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N233W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N233W-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 680F1284129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Gulfstream AC-680F
- Registry model: [Aero Commander 680-F](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-680-f) (registry code 0141606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 680F1284129
- Airframe hours: 3535
- Engines: LYCOMING IGSO-540-B1A 380 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Mercy Flights, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1984, 167 hours before
- Departed: 4S1, GOLD BEACH, OR
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MFR, Medford-Jackson County, runway 14, 6,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,867 total, 25 in this make and model, 9,867 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFR, 1 nm away

## 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 19850209004939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850209004939A), Feb 9, 1985: Gulstm STC680, Central Point, OR, Destroyed, 3 fatal. On initial approach in VFR conditions both engines quit due to possible fuel problem. Stalled and crashed on final.

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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