# Accident 20140421004609A: Cessna 172I, Huntsville, AL, April 21, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 21, 2014, 20:17 local time
- Place: Huntsville, AL
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Descent
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6400° N, 86.7800° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6400&lon=-86.7800&mi=10
- Aircraft: N35553, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35553) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172I (registry code 2072426, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 84 total, 50 in this make and model, 16 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA14CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA206) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140421004609A

## Narrative

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

AIRCRAFT CRASH-LANDED ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH IN AN OPEN FIELD LEFT OF RUNWAY 18R AT HSV AIRPORT.  THE NOSE WHEEL EXPERIENCED A HARD STOP CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO TIP FORWARD STOPPING IN AN INVERTED POSITION.  THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO FIREWALL AS WELL AS LT AND RT WING SPARS.

PRELIMINARY INFORMATION INDICATES THAT THE PILOT CHOSE TO FOREGO REFUELING AIRCRAFT AT DEPARTURE AIRPORT (EDN) DUE TO A WEAK AIRCRAFT BATTERY NECESSITATING A JUMP START PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.   POTENTIAL FUEL STOPS ENROUTE WERE BYPASSED NOT WANTING TO SHUT AIRCRAFT DOWN.  PILOT WAS CLEARED BY HSV ACTC TO LAND RWY 18R.  THE CONTROLLERS LOST THE AIRCRAFT LIGHTS ON SHORT FINAL.  THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO PERSONS ONBOARD.

## 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 ERA14CA206](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA206), Apr 22, 2014: Cessna 172I (N35553), Huntsville, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.

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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