# NTSB SEA87LA049: Cessna 402B, N69310, Las Vegas, NV, January 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1987, 00:43 local (08:43 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.079971, -115.139747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0800&lon=-115.1397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87LA049

## 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,pump - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - proper touchdown point - not possible (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT FILED IFR, 2+40 ETE. DUE DELAY, PLT DEPARTED VFR AND OPENED VFR FLT PLAN. ENROUTE, STONG HDWINDS ENCOUNTERED. ALSO, CLOUDS REQUIRED ALTITUDE AND COURSE DEVIATIONS TO MAINTAIN VFR. ATE WAS 3+33. ON FINAL, LEFT ENG LOST PWR, RT ENG BEGAN SURGING. INTO 20-KT HDWIND, ACFT LANDED HARD SHORT OF RWY, COLLAPSING GEAR. INVESTIGATION SHOWED FUEL STARVATION. ALL FUEL GAGES ERRONEOUS; MAINS SHOWED 50 AND 100 LBS REMAINING AFTER DRAINING RESIDUAL 1-2 GALS. AUX TANKS WERE NEAR FULL, 20-GAL LOCKER TANK WAS FULL. PLT STATED FLIGHT CONDUCTED ON MAIN TANKS EXCEPT AUX TANKS USED FOR 30-40 MINS ENROUTE. WT & BAL RECORD SHOWED 100 GALS FUEL, BUT PLT HAD ORDERED TOP-OFF (180 GALS).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69310](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69310-2013-10-28), registration cancelled 2013-10-28, S/N 402B0428, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B0428
- Airframe hours: 6897
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Benjamin Gilbert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 19, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LAS, Mccaran Int'L, runway 19R, 9,776 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,881 total, 223 in this make and model, 5,691 as pilot in command, 385 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 20 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS

## 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 19870128001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870128001259A), Jan 28, 1987: Cessna 402B, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. The engines failed and the aircraft landed near the runway. Pilot failed to switch fuel tanks, check gauges, pumps.

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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