Cessna 208A accident near Fresno, California, June 7, 1990
On June 7, 1990, a Cessna 208A, registered N803FE, was destroyed in an accident near Fresno, California (Fresno-Chandler Downtown airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE DUE TO IMPROPER MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE ENGINE OIL FILLER CAP BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON. IN ADDITION, THE PILOT MISJUDGED HIS LANDING APPROACH TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERSHOOT AND COLLISION WITH OBJECTS. A TAILWIND CONTRIBUTED TO THE OVERSHOOT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 1990
- Place
- Fresno, California · Fresno-Chandler Downtown · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 208A · all 208As on the register
- Registration
- N803FE · no longer on the register · serial 208 0015
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · charter and air-taxi rules (Part 135)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESS WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH 6,000 FT, AND THE PILOT REQUESTED TO RETURN TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. ATC INFORMED THE PILOT OF A CLOSER AIRPORT. THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE, FEATHERED THE PROP, AND MADE A POWER-OFF DESCENT TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A DOWNWIND APPROACH TO RWY 12L DUE TO HIS ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE OVERFLEW THE RUNWAY AND TOUCHED DOWN PAST THE DEPARTURE END. IT PENETRATED THE AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE, STRUCK SEVERAL TREES, A SIGN POST, A LIGHT POLE, AND AN AUTO BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE LOSS OF PRESSURE WAS DUE TO OIL LEAKING. THE OIL FILLER CAP WAS FOUND IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AFTER THE ORIGINAL INSTALLATION. THE MAINTENANCE MANUAL DOES NOT APPROVE ANY FIELD REPAIRS ON THE OIL FILLER CAP ENGAGING MECHANISMS. THE AIRPLANE'S FLAPS WERE FOUND AT A 7 DEG INTERMEDIATE SETTING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,275 hours in all; 335 in this make and model; 140 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days; 9,060 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, March 6, 1990; 82 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 8,035 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W PT6-114A (turboprop); 0 hours total
- Operator: West Air Industries
The flight
- Destination: OAK Oakland CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 12, 3,000 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.