# NTSB ATL84LA051: Cessna 172P, N64791, Jackson, MS, November 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 26, 1983, 01:40 local (07:40 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, MS
- Coordinates: 32.259441, -90.089012 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2594&lon=-90.0890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate aircraft component, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - switched off (cause)
  - remedial action - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DITCHED IN A RESERVOIR AT NIGHT AFTER A POWER LOSS. THE PLT WAS DESCENDING TO LAND, IN PREPARATION FOR THE LANDING THE PLT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS ON THE SELECTOR VALVE TO WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS BOTH TANKS POSITION. SHORTLY AFTER THISTHE ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT CHECKED THE FUEL SELECTOR BUT DID NOT CHANGE IT. HE CHANGED THE MAGNETO FROM BOTH TO RIGHT AND BACK TO BOTH. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART HE WAS FORCED TO DITCH SHORT OF THE ARPT. THE OCCUPANTS EXITED AND SWAM TO SHORE SAFELY. WHEN THE ACFT WAS SALVAGED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. NO FUEL WAS IN THE GASCOLATOR OR CARBURETOR. THE PLT STATED THAT THIS FUEL SELECTOR WAS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ACFT HE HAD FLOWN AND IN THE DARKNESS HE SELECTED AN IMPROPER POSITION. THE 'OFF' POSITION IS DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE 'BOTH' POSITION. THERE IS NO GUARD OR PROTECTIVE DEVICE TO PREVENT MOVING THE SELECTOR TO OFF INADVERTENTLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64791](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N64791), registered now, S/N 17275624, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 1120
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wing - It, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MKL, JACKSON, TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: JAN, Thompson Field, runway 15L, 8,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 28 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: JAN, 5 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 19831126058899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831126058899A), Nov 26, 1983: Cessna 172P, Jackson, MS, Substantial damage. Accidently placed fuel selector in off during night descent to destination airport. Elected to ditch in a lake.

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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