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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 31, 1985 · Cessna T303 · N6490V

Simi Valley, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Simi Valley, CA
Aircraft
Cessna T303
Tail Number
N6490V
Operator
Gunnell Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA376

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. THE STUDENT PLT STATED THE FLT WAS NORMAL UNTIL A 'VIOLENT RIGHT YAW' DEVELOPED WHEN THE TROTTLES WERE ADVANCED TO RECOVER FROM A PRACTICE STALL. AS THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND ATTEPTED RECOVERY A 'SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER' OCCURRED ON BOTH ENGS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FLD DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AND THE ACFT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY DISCREPANCIES. DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ON THE RIGHT ENG. 1) THE FUEL CONTROLLER FUEL LINE 'TEE' FITTING WAS CRACKED AROUND 50% OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. (DUCTILE OVERLOAD) 2) THE TURBOCHARGER GASKET ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE TURBINE SHOWED LEAKAGE AOUND 70% OF THE GASKET ARE. THE ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF SYMPTOMS OF FUEL VAPORIZATION WHICH SUBSIDED WITH USE OF THE AUX FUEL PUMP AS THE ENG MANUFACTORER SUGGESTS. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE AUX PUMP WAS USED DURING THIS ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. THE STUDENT PLT STATED THE FLT WAS NORMAL UNTIL A 'VIOLENT RIGHT YAW' DEVELOPED WHEN THE TROTTLES WERE ADVANCED TO RECOVER FROM A PRACTICE STALL. AS THE CFI TOOK OVER THE CONTROLS AND ATTEPTED RECOVERY A 'SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF POWER' OCCURRED ON BOTH ENGS. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FLD DURING WHICH THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREES AND THE ACFT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENG FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY DISCREPANCIES. DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED ON THE RIGHT ENG. 1) THE FUEL CONTROLLER FUEL LINE 'TEE' FITTING WAS CRACKED AROUND 50% OF ITS CIRCUMFERENCE. (DUCTILE OVERLOAD) 2) THE TURBOCHARGER GASKET ON THE INLET SIDE OF THE TURBINE SHOWED LEAKAGE AOUND 70% OF THE GASKET ARE. THE ACFT HAD A HISTORY OF SYMPTOMS OF FUEL VAPORIZATION WHICH SUBSIDED WITH USE OF THE AUX FUEL PUMP AS THE ENG MANUFACTORER SUGGESTS. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THE AUX PUMP WAS USED DURING THIS ACCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:36 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T303
Tail NumberN6490V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGunnell Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-AE · Reciprocating · 250
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:21
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data