Ryan NAVION A N4374K
8 June 1991 · Kankakee, Illinois, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 8 June 1991 at about 22:05 local time, a Ryan NAVION A registered N4374K, operated by Merton L. Townsend, was involved in an accident near Kankakee, Illinois, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:05
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Kankakee, Illinois, United States
- Coordinates
- 41.1095, -87.8598
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION A
- Registration
- N4374K
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Merton L. Townsend
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Traverse City → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI91LA185
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION MAKING AND MISJUDGED FUEL SUPPLY. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE INADEQUATE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB 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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Ryan NAVION accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1991 | Ryan NAVION | Lake City, Florida, United States | Schretzmann, William F | No injuries | - |
| 2 Sep 1991 | Ryan NAVION A | De Funiak Spgs, Florida, United States | Darrwll R. James | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Sep 1991 | Ryan NAVION | Chelan, Washington, United States | Donald V. Hanks | No injuries | - |
| 29 Apr 1990 | Ryan NAVION A | Denison, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Ryan NAVION A | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | Hopcus, Jerry A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Aug 1990 | Ryan NAVION | San Diego, California, United States | David L. Smith | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Nov 1991 | Aerospatiale ATR-42-300 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Simmons Airlines Inc. | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Dec 1991 | McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 | Chicago, Illinois, United States | American Airlines | No injuries | - |
| 11 May 1991 | Enstrom F28 | Hampshire, Illinois, United States | Asteroid Helicopter Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 7 Oct 1991 | Piper PA-12 | Roscoe, Illinois, United States | Robert L. REX | Minor injuries | - |
| 27 May 1991 | Cessna 172N | Chicago, Illinois, United States | Chicago Skyline, Ltd. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Oct 1991 | Cessna C-210G | Freeport, Illinois, United States | Schwinn, Phillip C. | No injuries | - |