NTSB Identification: LAX87LA177.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 34670.
Accident occurred Tuesday, April 14, 1987 in SANTA MARIA, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 11/29/1988
Aircraft: CESSNA T303, registration: N2225C
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.A CESSNA T303 COLLIDED W THE LOC ANTENNA AFT A TOTAL LOSS OF PWR IN BOTH ENGS WHILE ON FINAL APP TO RWY 30. THE PLT INDICATED THAT THE ENGS FAILED DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE FLT MADE 5 STOPS TO PICK-UP AND DROP OFF CARGO AND IS NORMALLY FLOWN DAILY BY DIFFERENT PLTS. THE ACFT IS NOT REFUELED AT THE DEPT POINT WHERE IT IS BASED BUT RATHER AT AN INTERMEDIATE STOP. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROCEDURE, THE ACFT IS NOT FULLY FUELED PRIOR TO THE DAYS FLT AND THE FUEL LEVEL CAN ONLY BE ESTIMATED BY VISUAL INSPECTION DURING PREFLT. THE PLT HAD QUESTIONED THE CHIEF PLT ABT THE PROCEDURE AND THE FUEL LEVEL 2 WEEKS PRIOR AND WAS TOLD IT WAS 'OK'. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD NOT BEEN REFUELED THE PRECEEDING DAY AT THE INTERMEDIATE STOP. THE PLT STATED THAT AFT LOWERING THE GEAR ON FINAL APP, THE ACFT LOST 150 TO 200 FEET AND COLLIDED W THE ANTENNA.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION..INADEQUATE..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
INSUFFICIENT STANDARDS/REQUIREMENTS..COMPANY/OPERATOR MGMT
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
REFUELING..NOT PERFORMED..OTHER PERSON
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLUID,FUEL..EXHAUSTION
Contributing Factors
GEAR EXTENSION..PREMATURE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
FUEL SYSTEM,TANK..LOW LEVEL
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..APPROACH LIGHT/NAVAID
Contributing Factors
PROPER DESCENT RATE..EXCEEDED..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT..PILOT IN COMMAND
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