# NTSB ATL01LA062: Cessna 172L, N18PF, Picayune, MS, June 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 2001, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Picayune, MS - Coordinates: 30.519668, -89.669349 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5197&lon=-89.6693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO 07 - NTSB case key (mKey): 52434 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL01LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52434/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL01LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's inflight fuel planning /decision that resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. A factor was the failure of the fuel transfer pump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - electrical system,circuit breaker - popped/tripped (contributing factor) - fuel system,electric boost pump - disabled (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - utility pole (contributing factor) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was enroute when the engine lost power and quit. During an emergency descent out of 4500 feet, the pilot attempted to restore full engine power but failed. During the emergency descent to land in a hilly farm field, the airplane's left wing struck a utility pole severing the left wing from the airplane. During the onsite inspection, the two main fuel tanks were found to be empty as well as the right auxiliary fuel tank. The left auxiliary fuel tank had approximately 11.5 gallons. The pilot attempted, but was unable to switch to the left auxiliary fuel tank due to a blown fuse. The fuses to the auxiliary fuel tanks are not accessible to the pilot in flight, this resulted in his inability to check them for condition or replace them, in flight. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2001, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N18PF, made an emergency landing in a field after a loss of engine power 17 miles north of Picayune, Mississippi. The flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 with no flight plan filed. The airplane was sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight departed Eufaula, Alabama, at 1315 central daylight time. According to the pilot, he was enroute from Eufaula, Alabama, to Bogolusa, Louisiana, when the engine lost power and quit. During an emergency descent out of 4500 feet, the pilot attempted to restore full engine power but failed. The pilot then executed a forced landing to a nearby field. During the emergency descent to land in a hilly farm field, the airplane's left wing struck a utility pole severing the left wing from the airplane. Onsite examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector was found on both, and the main auxiliary fuel pump switch was in the "off" position. Further inspection showed the shoulder harness on the pilots side were not in use at the time of the accident. The Cessna had two additional auxiliary fuel tanks installed with a Supplemental Type Certificate in August, 2000. These auxiliary fuel tanks are operated by auxiliary fuel pumps. Each fuel tank held approximately 11.5 gallons. During the onsite wreckage examination, the two main fuel tanks were found to be empty as well as the right auxiliary fuel tank. The left auxiliary fuel tank had approximately 11.5 gallons, of fuel remaining. The left auxiliary fuel pump was removed and it was full of fuel. There were no sediment or contamination found during the inspection. The pump was tested with a 12 VDC source, the left auxiliary fuel pump operated and pumped fuel. An in line fuse was found under the instrument panel, and it had failed. The pilot was unable to switch to the left auxiliary fuel tank. The pilot stated that when he attempted to transfer fuel from the left auxiliary fuel tank, the indicator light did not come on and no fuel transfer was observed. The fuses to the auxiliary fuel tanks are not accessible to the pilot in flight, this resulted in the lack of ability to check them for condition or replace them. The pilot did not refuel the airplane before takeoff, nor did he terminate the flight once he was aware the transfer of fuel was not possible from the left auxiliary fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18PF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18PF-2003-03-06), registration cancelled 2003-03-06, S/N 17260457, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260457 - Airframe hours: 4626.12 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2001, 36.2 hours before - Departed: KEUF, Eufaula, MS - Destination: KBXA, Bogolusa, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 6, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 1,125 in this make and model, 1,125 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 22 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KGTT, 40 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20010604010439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010604010439A), Jun 4, 2001: Cessna 172L, Picayune, MS, Substantial damage. (-23)Aircraft was enroute from eufaula, Alabama airport (euf) to bogalusa, Louisiana airport (bxa). The pilot reported that approximately 20 miles to the east… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.