# Accident 20230901014889A: Cessna R172K, Plover, WI, September 1, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 1, 2023, 13:50 local time
- Place: Plover, WI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 44.4911° N, 89.5084° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4911&lon=-89.5084&mi=10
- Aircraft: N172SP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N172SP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna R172K (registry code 2072431, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-360 series (registry code 17025, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,226 total, 1,397 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA393) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230901014889A

## Narrative

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

PIC INDICATED THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE AIRCRAFT FOR SERVICE OF THE LANDING GEAR ACTUATORS AT THE SOUTH ST PAUL, MN AIRPORT (KSGS).  WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WAS RELEASED, THE PIC NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL CONTROL SETTINGS THAT WERE NOT IN THEIR NORMAL POSITION.  AFTER CORRECTING THESE ITEMS, THE PIC DEPARTED FOR WAUPACA, WI (KPCZ) FOR A FUEL STOP.

AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS APPROACHING THE STEVENS POINT, WI AREA THE PIC FELT THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE “HESITATE” A COUPLE OF TIMES.  THE PIC THEN ELECTED TO TURN TOWARD THE STEVENS POINT AIRPORT (KSTE) TO INVESTIGATE.  SHORTLY AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER.

THE PIC THEN WENT THROUGH A SERIES OF DECISIONS AS TO WHERE TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT AND DECIDED ON A ROAD.  AT THE SAME TIME, HE TRIED THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP, BUT DID NO OTHER TROUBLESHOOTING, OR FOLLOWED ANY EMERGENCY CHECKLIST.  AS HE APPROACHED THE ROAD HE CONTACTED A CAR, THEN A ROAD SIGN BEFORE HE CAME TO REST.

AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE THE PIC CALLED HIS MECHANIC AND AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH HIM, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION AND THE LEFT TANK WAS OUT OF FUEL.

## 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 CEN23LA393](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA393), Sep 1, 2023: Cessna R172K (N172SP), Plover, WI, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Other reports on N172SP (2)

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

- [Incident 20030601019119I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030601019119I), Jun 1, 2003: Cessna R172K (N172SP), Detroit/Grosse, MI, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot (charles d. gillan) stated that while on base leg, he changed his mind from landing on rwy 4, to do a "touch and go" on the water to the right…
- [Incident 20020711036449I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020711036449I), Jul 11, 2002: Cessna R172K (N172SP), Detroit/Grosse, MI, Minor damage. (-23) On final approach the engine quit, after setting up for best glide, I attempted to restart & engine restarted for 10 seconds, I then ditched the aircraft…

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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