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NTSB Report
June 8, 1991 · Ryan Navion A · N4374K
Kankakee, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 8, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
Kankakee, IL
Aircraft
Ryan Navion A
Tail Number
N4374K
Operator
Merton L Townsend
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91LA185
THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF (40 GALLONS) WHEN THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED. HIS FLIGHT PLANNING INDICATED THE TRIP WOULD TAKE 2 1/3 HOURS, AND HIS ESTIMATED FUEL FLOW WAS 13.1 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 2 1/4 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS INDICATING LOWER THAN HE EXPECTED DURING THE FLIGHT, BUT HE CONTINUED TOWARD HIS DESTINATION, JUDGING HIS AVAILABLE FUEL BY THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS COULD APPEAR FULL BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY WERE, AND MISLEAD REFUELLERS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION MAKING AND MISJUDGED FUEL SUPPLY. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE INADEQUATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 10 MILES OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PILOT MADE A HARD FORCED LANDING IN A CORNFIELD. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF (40 GALLONS) WHEN THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED. HIS FLIGHT PLANNING INDICATED THE TRIP WOULD TAKE 2 1/3 HOURS, AND HIS ESTIMATED FUEL FLOW WAS 13.1 GALLONS PER HOUR. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 2 1/4 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE FUEL QUANTITY GAUGE WAS INDICATING LOWER THAN HE EXPECTED DURING THE FLIGHT, BUT HE CONTINUED TOWARD HIS DESTINATION, JUDGING HIS AVAILABLE FUEL BY THE DURATION OF THE FLIGHT. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM WAS SUCH THAT THE MAIN FUEL TANKS COULD APPEAR FULL BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY WERE, AND MISLEAD REFUELLERS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:05 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftRyan Navion A
Tail NumberN4374K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMerton L Townsend
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-H · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO