# NTSB WPR23LA221: Cessna 340A, N340SW, Bend, OR, June 8, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2023, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Bend, OR · self serve fuel station
- Coordinates: 44.09, -121.2
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0900&lon=-121.2000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 192343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA221

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the fuel station, resulting in a ground collision and fire.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Towing and taxiing: taxiing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010920/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 340A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2076405), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while taxiing, after using a self-serve fuel station, the airplane’s left wing-tip fuel tank struck a post at the fuel station and a fire ignited. The pilot shut down the airplane’s engines and disembarked the airplane with his passenger. The left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N340SW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N340SW-2024-02-09), registration cancelled 2024-02-09, S/N 340A0531, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0531
- Year built: 1978
- Airframe hours: 3230
- Engines: Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating; Continental TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2023, 2 hours before
- Airport: KBND, Bend Municipal
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Onboard weather

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,300 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KBDN
- METAR: KBDN 082035Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/10 A2996

## 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 20230608007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230608007859A), Jun 8, 2023: Cessna 340A, Bend, OR, Substantial damage. On June 8, 2023, after filling the fuel tanks of the airplane at the self service fuel station at Bend Municipal Airport (bdn), the pilot attempted to taxi 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.

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