# NTSB SEA94LA223: Cessna 320B, N9833L, Hood River, OR, August 28, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1994, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Hood River, OR - Coordinates: 45.610816, -121.579345 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6108&lon=-121.5793&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42009 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42009/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA223 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to insure that the fuel selector was in the proper position which resulted in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - 1 engine - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis In a written statement, the pilot reported that everything was normal for engine start and run-up. But, during the takeoff ground run, the left engine momentarily expereinced a partial loss of power and then regained full power again. The pilot continued the take off, but immediately after the airplane became airborne, the left engine again experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane yawed to the left, began to lose altitude and airspeed, and then began an uncommanded roll to the left. The pilot then reduced both throttles to idle as the aircraft descended into a pear orchard, where it impacted the ground in a nose down 'semi-level' attitude. During the post crash inspection, it was found that the left fuel selector was positioned in the 'off' quadrant, about half-way between the center of the quadrant and the edge of the 'left main' guadrant. The right fuel selector was positioned in the 'right main' quadrant. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1994, at 1130 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna 320B, N9833L, collided with the terrain shortly after takeoff from the Hood River Airport, Hood River, Oregon. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries, one passenger received serious injures, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which was departing for Boeing Field, Seattle, Washington, was operating in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. A VFR flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. In a written statement, the pilot reported that everything was normal for engine start and run-up. But, during the takeoff ground run, the left engine momentarily experienced a partial loss of power, and then regained full power again. The pilot continued the take off, but immediately after the airplane became airborne, the left engine again experienced a partial loss of power. The airplane yawed to the left, began to lose altitude and airspeed, and then began an uncommanded roll to the left. The pilot then reduced both throttles to idle as the aircraft descended into a pear orchard, where it impacted the ground in a nose down "semi-level" attitude. During the post crash inspection, it was found that the left fuel selector was positioned in the "off" quadrant, about half-way between the center of the quadrant and the edge of the "left main" quadrant. The right fuel selector was positioned in the "right main" quadrant. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9833L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9833L-1995-01-31), registration cancelled 1995-01-31, S/N 320B0033 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 320B - Registry model: [Cessna 320B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-320b) (registry code 2074508) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 320B0033 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-470C 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Knoll, Ronald K. - Registered owner: Knoll Motor Co. Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1992, 73 hours before - Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 4S2, Hood River, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,475 total, 828 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 14 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DLS, 15 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 19940828023979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940828023979A), Aug 28, 1994: Cessna 320B, Hood River, OR, Substantial damage. Left engine intermitian and partial power loss. Got below VMC. Cut power. Crashed. Fuel selector not in detente. 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.