# Accident 20191004019099A: Cessna 172F, Kaplan, LA, October 4, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 4, 2019, 19:45 local time
- Place: Kaplan, LA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 29.9372° N, 92.3197° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9372&lon=-92.3197&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7871U, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7871U-2021-04-03) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172F (registry code 2072414, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR I0-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 500 total, 250 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA20CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA006) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191004019099A

## Narrative

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

PILOT REPORTED AIRCRAFT ENGINE DIED AT APPROXIMATELY 3500 FEET AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART DECIDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  AIRCRAFT WENT OVER A TREE LINE HITTING THE TOPS OF THE TREES. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TREE LINE THE LEFT WING HIT A POWER POLE AND SPUN THE AIRCRAFT INTO A SMALL FIELD ACROSS THE ROAD CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  UPON EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE RIGHT POSITION.  THE LEFT TANK HAD APPROXIMATELY 5 GALLONS.  PILOT SAID HE BELIEVED THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS IN THE BOTH POSITION BUT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF HE LOOKED AT IT DURING THE PREFLIGHT. PILOT RECEIVED COUNSELING, SEE PTRS SW03202000891.

## 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 GAA20CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA006), Oct 5, 2019: Cessna 172 (N7871U), Kaplan, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation, a total loss of engine power, and impact with a pole during an off-airport landing.

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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