Video: Plane Crashes on Baseball Field

[User546]

This video shows a single-engine Cessna (maybe a 182 or 210?) making an emergency landing right behind a baseball field while a game's being played.

Anyone got any information on this crash?

http://www.enwhore.com/viewmovie.php?mid=381
(Warning: The moronic commentary is painful to listen to at times!)

 

[C425Driver]

I recall seeing that clip, I think it was a few years ago. I don't recall the outcome of the pilot. Looks like a C207.

C425Driver

 

[oonieto]

yeah i saw back awhile on tv, i think it happened in socal somewhere

 

[YourNameHere]

I think this is it.

NTSB Identification: ANC03LA085.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Public Inquiries
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Thursday, July 31, 2003 in Anchorage, AK
Probable Cause Approval Date: 3/30/2004
Aircraft: Cessna 207, registration: N29CF
Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 Minor, 2 Uninjured.

The commercial pilot was conducting an on-demand passenger flight with three passengers aboard. As the airplane approached the destination airport, about 800 feet agl over a city, the engine began to run rough and lose power. In an attempt to restore engine power, the pilot confirmed that the fuel selector valve was placed to the right fuel tank, and momentarily placed the auxiliary fuel boost pump in the high boost position. Engine power was momentarily restored, followed by a complete loss of power. The pilot selected a forced landing area adjacent to several baseball fields. During the forced landing approach, the airplane passed over four occupied baseball fields. During touchdown, the airplane's left wing collided with a chain link fence, the airplane veered to the left, collided with a concrete embankment, and cart wheeled to the left. During an on scene interview the pilot reported that he routinely flew the accident route using only the right fuel tank. He said that fuel stored in the left fuel tank was considered a reserve tank. Another pilot had flown the accident airplane prior to the accident flight, and usually, when an airplane returned to the operator's base, line service personnel would routinely fill the right fuel tank, to be ready for the next flight. Prior to departing on the outbound leg of the flight, the pilot said that he did not visually check the fuel quantity in the right wing fuel tank, and that the entire round trip flight was flown with the fuel selector valve selected to the right fuel tank. When asked if he attempted to switch the fuel selector valve from the right fuel tank to the left tank, the accident pilot responded "no." During wreckage recovery efforts, and in the presence of the NTSB IIC, about 0.8 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing-mounted fuel tank, and associated fuel lines. About 30 gallons of fuel were drained from the left wing-mounted fuel tank. The tanks were not damaged during the accident and did not leak. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The pilot's incorrect positioning of the fuel tank selector valve to a nearly empty tank, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, and subsequent emergency landing at an off-airport site. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his inadequate remedial action.


Full narrative available

 

[MGlobemaster]

Who flies around in Cessna's with the fuel selector on only one tank? I ONLY take it out of both to test that the selector is working. It's frustrating to see these accidents that could have easily been avoided.

 

[GravityHater]

Who flies around in Cessna's with the fuel selector on only one tank? I ONLY take it out of both to test that the selector is working. It's frustrating to see these accidents that could have easily been avoided.

There are a couple reasons that make it a good idea to do so, the main one being you can only be sure fuel is feeding from both tanks by actually selecting one and then the other... and some Cezzna's are placarded that you must use only one tank at a time in some conditions... Also if you want to maximize your range safely, single tanking is the way to do it.
I think the accident sounds more like he just didn't keep track of where the fuel was, how fast it was being consumed - the usual 'fuel apathy' that many of these accidents result from.
Not being contrary, just my opinion.

 

[imacdog]

Who flies around in Cessna's with the fuel selector on only one tank? I ONLY take it out of both to test that the selector is working. It's frustrating to see these accidents that could have easily been avoided.

The 206 and 207 do not have a "both" setting.

 

[Tinstaafl]

Not all Cessnas have a 'both' selection available. Some have L - R - OFF as the only options.

 

[qmaster3]

"During an on scene interview the pilot reported that he routinely flew the accident route using only the right fuel tank"



I'm assuming this is with the feds. If you have an incident/accident, and the Feds are there ready to grill you with questions right away. Can you tell em you want to wait for a bit to conduct the interview? I would want the chain of events straight in my mind first. Also do you have a right to consult with anyone (lawyer, your company) since they can suspend your certificates? I know it’s administrative not criminal. Last question if you as the PIC knew you screwed up bad, but the Feds and Pax don't. Do you have the right to deny the Feds an interview for the investigation. Giving yourself the .01 chance of getting out of a civil suit.

 

[dkelly]

No, you do not have to comply to an interview without an attorney present. The only regulation is that you must provide proof of license, medical certificate, and photo ID. Additionally, don't provide information if the interviewer gets irate, stating that they just want to get the file completed. Anything you say, will be used against you. DK

 

[GravityHater]

I am going to give them identification & certificates, then sit down and hold my head, and say "I don't think I can answer any questions right now, I am in shock."
Then I am going to find out what my aviation attorney wants me to tell them,.... before I tell them.
I think this is the best way to Not Piss Them Off but protect my ticket & insurance chances.

That movie actor had it right, crash your twin in the desert then disappear for 24 hours!

 

[IFlyOU]

holy jeebus!

 

[cforst513]

props to him, though, for missing all those people. looked like a field hockey/lacrosse/soccer/SOMETHING game going on behind the baseball game. good job avoiding a worse disaster. that's something you never get used to, though - seeing a plane cartwheel like that. well, maybe patty wagstaff's, but not anyone else's!

 

[IFlyOU]

everyone survived which is good... that's the bottom line in any emergency.

try this on for size:

you just had an engine failure, would you...

a) put other people at risk selecting the best field with a good chance of walking away?
b) not put other people at risk selecting a remote area next to those people knowing you might not make it?

don't think that pilot used the best judgement by selecting a populated soccer field...

 

[Ill Mitch]

everyone survived which is good... that's the bottom line in any emergency.

try this on for size:

you just had an engine failure, would you...

a) put other people at risk selecting the best field with a good chance of walking away?
b) not put other people at risk selecting a remote area next to those people knowing you might not make it?

don't think that pilot used the best judgement by selecting a populated soccer field...

At 800 AGL (which is where he lost the engine), you don't have a lot of time for maneuvering around. He did the best he could. OF course, he could have switched fuel tanks..but eh...whaddya gonna do.

 

[low-n-slow]

Did you notice the flags as the 207 was passing by, looks like a pretty good breeze was blowing for the downwind landing. Glad eveybody survived but I do agree that this certainly was not the best emergency landing field with the amount of people around. Thank God nobody on the ground was hurt.

 

[User546]

But like everything else, it's easy to armchair-quarterback after the fact, but not so easy when your there and have just a few seconds to make a potentially life or death decision.

I don't think I'm going out on a limb here to say that the majority of people tend to lean towards self-preservation (even if it's sub-consciously) in those situations requiring an immediate plan of action.

Again, thank goodness no innocent bystanders were hurt or killed on the baseball fields (as well as the crew).

 

[low-n-slow]

But like everything else, it's easy to armchair-quarterback after the fact, but not so easy when your there and have just a few seconds to make a potentially life or death decision.

I certainly agree.

 

[FlightTraker]

I fly a 1982 C-206, and the fuel selector only has, L, OFF, R. You have to go through OFF to switch tanks. I assume the 207 has the same. Going through OFF to switch tanks.......now that is US engineering at its finest

FlightTraker

 

[V2pls10]

probably just t

rying to pull some shenanagens. OOOOPPPPPssss. Did I just say shenanagens.

V2