# NTSB ATL82DA097: Cessna 172, N6444B, Brook Haven, MS, April 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1982, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Brook Haven, MS
- Coordinates: 31.579948, -90.439407 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5799&lon=-90.4394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70035
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70035/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA097

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - erratic (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT VISUALLY CHECKED THE FUEL LEVEL BEFORE TAKEOFF AND ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD 15 TO 16 GALLONS REMAINING. SINCE THE FLIGHT WAS PLANNED FOR 30 TO 45 MINUTES, NO FUEL WAS ADDED. HOWEVER, AFTER FLYING FOR 30 TO 35 MINUTES, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT LANDED IN A PASTURE, BUT WAS FORCED TO STEER THE AIRCRAFT TOWARD TREES TO AVOID HITTING COWS. THE PLANE STRUCK TWO TREES AND A FENCE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS ONLY TRACES OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THAT FUEL HAD DRAINED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. SOME BEADS OF FUEL WERE PRESENT ON THE GASCOLATOR DRAIN, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A LARGE FUEL LEAK. A CHECK OF THE FUEL GAUGES REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT GAUGE INDICATED THE TANK WAS EMPTY, BUT THE LEFT GAUGE WAS READING BETWEEN 1/4 FULL AND EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6444B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6444B-2017-02-22), registration cancelled 2017-02-22, S/N 29644, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29644
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pete Stanley (Also William Sta
- Registered owner: Pete Stanley (Also William Sta
- Departed: BROOK HAVEN, MS
- Destination: BROOK HAVEN, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 8,000 total, 32 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 158 °F

## 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 19820408009569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820408009569A), Apr 8, 1982: Cessna 172, Auburn, MS, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed in a pasture. Steered aircraft into a fence and trees to avoid striking cows.

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.

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