# Accident 20230811012449A: Cessna 172P, Port Norris, NJ, August 11, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 11, 2023, 14:16 local time
- Place: Port Norris, NJ
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.2500° N, 75.0600° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2500&lon=-75.0600&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5453K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5453K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172P (registry code 2072436, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 727 total, 691 in this make and model, 124 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA23LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA333) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230811012449A

## Narrative

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

ON 8/11/23, PIC OF A CE-172P MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON AN OPEN FIELD IN PORT NORRIS, NJ, WHILE ENROUTE FROM EAGLES NEST AIRPORT, NJ (31N) TO CAPE MAY AIRPORT, NJ (WWD).  WHILE OVER THE DELAWARE BAY, THE PIC REPORTED INTERMITTENT ENGINE POWER LOSS WHILE CRUISING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 3000 FT.  THE PIC DECLARED AN EMERGENCY, AND UPON NAVIGATION TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT, MILLVILLE AIRPORT, NJ (MIV), THE PIC DECIDED HIS BEST OPTION FOR A SAFE LANDING WAS TO LAND IN A NEARBY FARM FIELD.  THE PIC INITATED A LEFT PATTERN 180 POWER OFF APPROACH INTO THE OPEN FIELD AND TOUCHED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIELD, APPROXIMATELY 50 YARDS FROM A SLIGHTLY ELEVATED STREET.  THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED UNTIL IT CONTACTED THE STREET, THE LEFT WINGTIP CONTACTED A UTILITY POLE AND SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED INTO A FIELD, THE NOSE GEAR DUG INTO THE GROUND, SEPARATED, AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT OVER INTO AN INVERTED POSITION.   THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FUSELAGE, EMPENNAGE, WINGS, LANDING GEAR, AND PROPELLER.

DURING SUBSEQUENT AIRCRAFT INVESTIGATIONS, 1.5 GALLONS OF UNUSABLE FUEL WAS RECOVERED FROM THE LEFT TANK AND 10 GALLONS WERE RECOVERED FROM THE RIGHT TANK.  THE PIC HAD HIS FUEL SELECTOR SELECTED TO "LEFT" POSITION DURING HIS ENTIRE FLIGHT FROM THE EAGLES NEST AIRPORT, NJ (31E) TO THE EMERGENCY LANDING IN PORT NORRIS, NJ.  IN ADDITION, DURING THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE INSPECTIONS, NO ABNORMALITEIS WERE NOTED WITH THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE AND FUEL FEED SYSTEMS.

## 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 ERA23LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA333), Aug 11, 2023: Cessna 172 (N5453K), Port Norris, NJ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation 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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