Narrative:
The airplane was on a second approach to land on runway 30R after having been instructed by air traffic control to climb during the final approach segment of the first approach due to inadequate separation from another airplane. The aircraft was low on fuel but the pilot did not notify ATC until they were on base turn to finals. The airplane ran out of fuel and both engines lost power. The crew then ditched their Falcon 20 into the Mississippi River. Both pilots were rescued.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot in command's improper in-flight decision not to divert to an alternate destination resulting in the exhaustion of the airplane's fuel supply, and his failure to relay his low fuel state to air traffic control in a timely manner."
Ditching
accident date: 08-04-2003
type: Dassault Falcon 20
registration: N179GA
accident date: 08-04-2003
type: Dassault Falcon 20
registration: I-VEPA
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 8 April 2003 |
| Time: | 18:50 |
| Type: |  Dassault Falcon 20C |
| Operator: | Grand Aire Express |
| Registration: | N179GA |
| MSN: | 100 |
| First flight: | 1967 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 15899 |
| Engines: | 2 General Electric CF700-2D2 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 14 km (8.8 mls) WSW of Saint Louis-Lambert International Airport, MO (STL) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Unknown (UNK) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Del Rio International Airport, TX (DRT/KDRT), United States of America |
| Saint Louis-Lambert International Airport, MO (STL/KSTL), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 179 |
The airplane was on a second approach to land on runway 30R after having been instructed by air traffic control to climb during the final approach segment of the first approach due to inadequate separation from another airplane. The aircraft was low on fuel but the pilot did not notify ATC until they were on base turn to finals. The airplane ran out of fuel and both engines lost power. The crew then ditched their Falcon 20 into the Mississippi River. Both pilots were rescued.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The pilot in command's improper in-flight decision not to divert to an alternate destination resulting in the exhaustion of the airplane's fuel supply, and his failure to relay his low fuel state to air traffic control in a timely manner."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
All engine powerlossDitching
Sources:
» NTSB id. CHI03FA099Photos
accident date: 08-04-2003
type: Dassault Falcon 20
registration: N179GA
accident date: 08-04-2003
type: Dassault Falcon 20
registration: I-VEPA
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Del Rio International Airport, TX to Saint Louis-Lambert International Airport, MO as the crow flies is 1415 km (884 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Distance from Del Rio International Airport, TX to Saint Louis-Lambert International Airport, MO as the crow flies is 1415 km (884 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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