Convair CV-240 accident near Akron, Ohio, November 28, 1991
On November 28, 1991 at about 7:34 pm local time, a Convair CV-240, registered N450GA, was destroyed in an accident near Akron, Ohio (Akron-Canton Reg. airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE USE OF AN IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE CAPTAIN AND RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUIRNG CLIMBOUT AND AN IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 1991 · about 7:34 pm local time
- Place
- Akron, Ohio · Akron-Canton Reg. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Convair CV-240
- Registration
- N450GA · registry record · serial 53-3537
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER DEPATURE THE AIRPLANE WAS SEEN CLIMBING TO AN ALTITUDE OF ABBOUT 200 FEET AGL. WITNESSES SAW SMOKE COMING FROM ONE OF THE ENGINES AND HERD A 'POPPING NOISE.' THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LAANDING IN A FIELD. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK ELECTRICAL WIRES AND FENCE THEN BURST INTO FLAMES. THE AIRPLANE HAD REFUELED JUST PRIOR TO TAKE OFF, AND THE FUEL RECEIPT SHOWE THAT 300 GALLONS OF JET (A) FUEL WAS PUT INTO THE TANKS. THE NORMAL FUEL USED IN THE AIRPLANE WAS 100 LL.
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, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 18,528 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, November 15, 1991; 13 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 41,790 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-2800-CB3 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Rhoades Aviation INC.
The flight
- Destination: BAK Columbus OH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 19, 6,397 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 3,000 ft; scat at 1,000 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 pm from CAK, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.