# NTSB WPR09LA115: Cessna T337, N86242, Rialto, CA, February 14, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 14, 2009, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Rialto, CA - Coordinates: 34.136943, -117.407218 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1369&lon=-117.4072&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 3, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73353/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73353 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA115 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power to one engine during initial climb for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T337D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2075719), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T337D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2075719), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff the twin-engine airplane's climb performance deteriorated. The airplane climbed to 300-400 feet above ground level, then made a right turn. The pilot said that the airplane was not climbing sufficiently to clear the rising terrain that was ahead. He executed a forced landing into a dirt field 1/2 mile north of the departure airport. The pilot did not state that he executed the published engine out emergency procedures before executing the landing. The forward engine propeller exhibited damage consistent with the production of power; the rear engine propeller exhibited very little damage. Investigators were able to start and run the rear engine. Using the flight manual the calculated single-engine performance (rear engine out) was determined to be 550 feet per minute rate of climb. ## Factual narrative On February 14, 2009, about 1000 Pacific standard time, a Cessna T337/D, N86242, made a forced landing 0.5 miles north of Rialto Municipal Airport, Rialto, California. The airplane was operated by the owner under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that shortly after takeoff the airplane's climb performance deteriorated, and it felt like the airplane had lost thrust. The airplane climbed to 300 - 400 feet above ground level (agl), then made a right turn. The pilot said that the airplane was not climbing sufficiently to clear the rising terrain that was ahead. He executed a forced landing into a dirt field 1/2 mile north of the airport. The pilot did not state that he executed the published engine out emergency procedures. The nearest aviation weather recording station was San Bernardino International Airport, which recorded at 1053: calm winds; 10 miles visibility; clouds scattered at 3,000 feet; and the temperature was 48 degrees F. On February 25, 2009, the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), and a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. The front engine propeller exhibited chordwise scratches and blade tip curling, consistent with power production. The rear engine propeller exhibited a single gouge on one blade, and light chordwise scratches on the tip of the other blade. The top spark plugs were removed from the rear engine and thumb compression was achieved on all cylinders. The rear engine was rotated by hand and audible clicking of the magnetos could be heard. Fuel was observed in the engine driven fuel pump fuel input line. The spark plugs were replaced. The flap lever was set to 1/3 in the cockpit, and engine control continuity was established from the cockpit to both engines. The pilot reported that the weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was 3,836 pounds. The area was cleared and the rear engine was started on the second attempt. The engine was run at 1,700 rpm for over 2 minutes, then ran up to 2,000 rpm, and the propeller cycled. Oil pressure was stable at 45 psi, and both magnetos were checked with a corresponding 50 rpm drop on each. The Cessna 337 owner's manual states that at an aircraft weight of 3,800 pounds, outside air temperature of 59 degrees F, and sea level, the single engine climb performance (rear engine out) is 550 feet per minute rate of climb. The procedures for a continued takeoff with an engine out include retracting the flaps, retracting the landing gear, and feathering the propeller of the inoperative engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86242](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86242-2010-04-27), registration cancelled 2010-04-27, S/N 337-1126, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T337 (D) - Registry model: [Cessna T337D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t337d) (registry code 2075719) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 337-1126 - Airframe hours: 1842 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO360 210 horsepower reciprocating; Teledyne Continental Motors TSIO360 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald A. Benart - Registered owner: Donald A. Benart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2008 - Departed: KL67, Rialto, CA - Destination: KL67, Rialto, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: KL67, Rialto Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 15, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,801 total, 560 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KSBD, 9 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 20090214001199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090214001199A), Feb 14, 2009: Cessna T337D, Rialto, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported loss of power shortly after take off and landed the aircraft in an open field. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 18, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73353. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321131&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Right Side (item 2, .PDF, 481 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321132&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Side-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Front View (item 3, .PDF, 537 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321133&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Front%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Aft View (item 4, .PDF, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321134&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Aft%20View-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Aft View (item 5, .PDF, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321135&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Aft%20View-Master.PDF - Field Exam Notes (item 6, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Field%20Exam%20Notes-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 7, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40321472&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.