# Accident 20041129034369A: Cessna 172K, Smyrna, TN, November 29, 2004

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 29, 2004
- Place: Smyrna, TN
- Airport: Smyrna
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.5539° N, 87.1789° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5539&lon=-87.1789&mi=10
- Aircraft: N78402, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78402-2013-05-09) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172K (registry code 2072430, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Reported engine: LYC O320E2D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ATL05LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05LA031) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041129034369A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004 THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED MAURY COUNTY AIRPORT (MRC) AROUND 3:30 AM AFTER AIRPORT SECURITY FOUND HIM SLEEPING IN HIS CESSNA 172K, N78402. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DAT^ FLEW TO SMYRNA AIRPORT. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DAT^ SAID HE FLEW OVER PERCY PRIST LAKE TO MAKE SURE HE WAS AT SMYRNA AIRPORT. THE PILOT ^PRIVACY DAT^ SAID HIS ENGINE QUIT WHEN HE TURNED FINAL FOR RUNWAY 32 AT SMYRNA AIRPORT. THE FRONT NOSE WHEEL CONTACTED THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT FENCE AND APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET NORTH OF SAM RIDLEY ROAD. THE NOSE WHEEL SKID 4 FEET IN THE GROUND BEFORE BREAKING OFF. THE AIRPLANE WENT THROUGH THE AIRPORT FENCE BEFORE IT STOPPED 3 FEET NORTH OF AIRPORT FENCE ON SMYRNA AIRPORT. THE MARKING ON THE GROUND WAS AT A 15 DEGREE INTERSECTION TO THE CENTER LINE OF RUNWAY 32 AND 1300 FEET FROM THE END OF RUNWAY 32. NOTE 1: THE PILOT HAS NO PILOT LOGS, HENCE PILOT HOURS ARE UNKNOWN. NOTE 2: TACK TIME IS 1143.5/HOBBS IS 2194.5. THERE IS NO AIRCRAFT LOGBOOKS REAL AIRCRAFT TIME IN UNKNOWN.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ATL05LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05LA031), Nov 29, 2004: Cessna 172K (N78402), Smyrna, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, and his inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N78402 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19951230042859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951230042859A), Dec 30, 1995: Cessna 172C (N78402), Hillsboro, MO, Substantial damage. Fuel and radio problems, made emergency landing in a field.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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