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NTSB Report
September 17, 1987 · Cessna 340A · N5449G
Lubbock, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lubbock, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 340A
Tail Number
N5449G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87LA221
THE PILOT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR MENTION TO THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT HIS FUEL WAS LOW. HE WAS FIRST TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 17R BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 26. (THIS WAS TO ALLOW A DEA AIRCRAFT, AT ITS PILOT'S REQUEST, TO LAND BEFORE THE CESSNA 340A AIRCRAFT. DEA AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN TRAILING THE CESSNA SINCE IT CROSSED THE BORDER FROM MEXICO INTO THE UNITED STATES). SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CESSNA PILOT INFORMED THE LUBBOCK CONTROL TOWER THAT HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 17. THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND IMPACTED IN A COTTON FIELD ABOUT TWO MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BEFORE THE LANDING COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REPORTEDLY REVEALED THAT ILLEGAL CARGO WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT DID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY OR MENTION TO THE TOWER CONTROLLER THAT HIS FUEL WAS LOW. HE WAS FIRST TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 17R BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD TO ENTER RIGHT TRAFFIC FOR RUNWAY 26. (THIS WAS TO ALLOW A DEA AIRCRAFT, AT ITS PILOT'S REQUEST, TO LAND BEFORE THE CESSNA 340A AIRCRAFT. DEA AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN TRAILING THE CESSNA SINCE IT CROSSED THE BORDER FROM MEXICO INTO THE UNITED STATES). SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE CESSNA PILOT INFORMED THE LUBBOCK CONTROL TOWER THAT HE WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 17. THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION AND IMPACTED IN A COTTON FIELD ABOUT TWO MILES NORTHEAST OF THE AIRPORT BEFORE THE LANDING COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED. A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REPORTEDLY REVEALED THAT ILLEGAL CARGO WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:52 CDT
Nearest AirportLubbock Int'L (2nm NE)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 340A
Tail NumberN5449G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-NB · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:52
Weather SourceWFAC