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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Hill Short of Runway After Night Visual Approach (N861CP)

Nashville, TN, US

On February 10, 1993, a Cessna 337D (registration N861CP) operated by Plateau Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Nashville, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A commercial pilot cancelled an IFR flight plan and conducted a visual approach to runway 19 at night in VMC. The aircraft crashed into a hill about 110 feet short of the runway threshold. Both propellers were feathered, and only about 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system with no evidence of leakage.

Accident Overview

A commercial pilot cancelled an IFR flight plan and proceeded visually to land on runway 19. Night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time. The aircraft crashed into a hill located approximately 110 feet short of the runway threshold.

Flight Details

The pilot reported departing Orlando, Florida, with 5 hours of fuel onboard, equivalent to 96 gallons. The accident occurred about 3 hours and 40 minutes into the flight. The pilot did not remember the accident due to head injuries sustained.

Wreckage and Fuel Examination

Inspection of the wreckage revealed that both front and rear engine propellers were feathered. Approximately 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the entire fuel system. This included 3 gallons from the left auxiliary tank, 2 ounces from the left main tank, and 20 ounces from the right main tank. There was no evidence of pre- or post-crash fuel leakage.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Feb 1993 Cessna 337D accident near Nashville, TN?

A commercial pilot cancelled an IFR flight plan and conducted a visual approach to runway 19 at night in VMC. The aircraft crashed into a hill about 110 feet short of the runway threshold. Both propellers were feathered, and only about 4 gallons of fuel were recovered from the fuel system with no evidence of leakage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Feb 1993 involved a Cessna 337D, registration N861CP, operated by Plateau Aviation, Inc., at Nashville, TN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE FUEL SUPPLY FOR THE FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X11776. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.