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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

September 14, 1992 · Cessna 320 · N5754X

Darlington, SC

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1992
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Darlington, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 320
Tail Number
N5754X
Operator
Branham John R
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL92LA180

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT LIFT OFF BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE TO AVOID HOUSES, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE AIRPLANE THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID INTO AN OUT BUILDING ADJACENT TO A RESIDENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED AN OILY, FOUL SMELLING CONTAMINANT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT 300 GALLONS OF 100LL FUEL FROM A LOCAL FIXED BASE OPERATOR. THE FUEL WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE PILOT'S FUEL FARM ON HIS AIRFIELD IN A TANK WHICH HE USES TO MIX CHEMICALS FOR AERIAL APPLICATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH CONTAMINATED FUEL BY THE OWNER PILOT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT LIFT OFF BOTH ENGINES LOST POWER. A RIGHT TURN WAS MADE TO AVOID HOUSES, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRES. THE AIRPLANE THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND SLID INTO AN OUT BUILDING ADJACENT TO A RESIDENCE. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTAINED AN OILY, FOUL SMELLING CONTAMINANT. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD RECENTLY BOUGHT 300 GALLONS OF 100LL FUEL FROM A LOCAL FIXED BASE OPERATOR. THE FUEL WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE PILOT'S FUEL FARM ON HIS AIRFIELD IN A TANK WHICH HE USES TO MIX CHEMICALS FOR AERIAL APPLICATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:55 EDT
Nearest AirportBranham'S (1nm NE)
Runway35
Runway Length3200 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 320
Tail NumberN5754X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBranham John R
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-470B · Reciprocating · 260
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind20° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time23:23
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data