# NTSB WPR09CA092: Ryan Navion, N4443K, Three Forks, MT, January 19, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 18, 2009, 17:45 local (Jan 19, 2009, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Three Forks, MT - Coordinates: 45.903331, -111.529724 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9033&lon=-111.5297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 15, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73251 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73251/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA092 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel system management. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and failure to perform the prelanding checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Ryan NAVION, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=6150160), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to departure he noted that both wing tip tanks were full of fuel and that the main tank was at least 2/3 full, giving adequate fuel for the flight. After takeoff, the pilot repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the right tip tank, and later, while en route, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left tip tank. Approaching the destination airport, the pilot became somewhat distracted while talking with a passenger. He did not follow the prelanding checklist and failed to reposition the fuel selector to the main tank, which contained adequate fuel. When the airplane was about 2.5 miles from the airport, all engine power was lost. The pilot then repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the main tank; however, engine power was not restored as the airplane descended from the traffic pattern. The pilot made a forced landing on the underlying rough terrain. During roll out, the airplane collided with vegetation and a wing broke. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to departure he noted that both wing tip tanks were full of fuel and the main tank was at least 2/3 full, giving adequate fuel for the flight. After takeoff the pilot repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the right tip tank, and later while en route, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left tip tank. Approaching the destination airport, the pilot became somewhat distracted while talking with a passenger. He did not follow the prelanding checklist and failed to reposition the fuel selector to the main tank, which contained adequate fuel. When the airplane was about 2.5 miles from the airport, all engine power was lost. The pilot then repositioned the fuel selector to draw fuel from the main tank; however, engine power was not restored as the airplane descended from the traffic pattern. The pilot made a forced landing on the underlying rough terrain. During roll out, the airplane collided with vegetation and a wing broke. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4443K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4443K), registered now, S/N NAV-4-1443, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION - Registry model: [Ryan NAVION](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion) (registry code 6150160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: NAV-4-1443 - Airframe hours: 5738 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2008, 51 hours before - Departed: GCC, Gillette-Campbe, WY - Destination: 9S5, Three Forks, MT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 9S5, Three Forks, runway 20, 5,100 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 3, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 974 total, 32 in this make and model, 937 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20090118000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090118000149A), Jan 18, 2009: Ryan NAVION, Three Forks, MT, Substantial damage. On 01/18/09 at 1501 LCL, aircraft N4443K, a Ryan Navion, departed gillette, WY (gcc) with full fuel and 4 soles on board bound for Three Forks, MT (9S5). The… 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.