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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

December 9, 1997 · Cessna 402A · N728QA

Milwaukee, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 9, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Milwaukee, WI
Aircraft
Cessna 402A
Tail Number
N728QA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA057

The pilot said that he noted 10 gallons on 'each side' prior to initiating an approach. He said that about five minutes later the left engine lost power and about three minutes after that the right engine also sustained a loss of power. The damage to the airplane occurred during an undershoot to the intended runway. Emergency response individuals found no usable fuel in the airplane's fuel tanks. The pilot said that the accident might have been prevented by, 'Visual inspection of all fuel tank with calibrated device.'

NTSB Probable Cause

Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On December 8, 1997, at 2118 central standard time, a Cessna 402A, N728QA, operating as Freight Runner Flight 1539, sustained substantial damage when it undershot a landing on runway 19R (9,690' X 200' dry/concrete) at General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pilot reported no injuries. The pilot reported engine trouble to Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic Control during the approach to landing. Emergency response individuals to the accident found no usable fuel in the airplane fuel tanks. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was operating on an IFR flight plan in instrument meteorological conditions. The last departure point was Madison, Wisconsin, at 2010. In his written statement the pilot stated that prior to initiating the approach, the indication was that 10 gallons remained on "each side." This was about 5 minutes prior to the loss of power on the left engine which was followed about 3 minutes later by loss of power on the right engine. The pilot said that the accident might have been prevented by, "Visual inspection of all fuel tank with calibrated device."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:18 CST
Nearest AirportGeneral Mitchell Intl (0nm)
Runway19R
Runway Length9690 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402A
Tail NumberN728QA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-E · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind130° @ 9 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 30 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data