# NTSB ATL86FA132: Cessna 172D, N2592U, Athens, GA, May 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Athens, GA
- Coordinates: 33.91077, -83.319305 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9108&lon=-83.3193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

DURING THE RETURN FROM A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED OVER THE UNICOM THAT THEY WERE MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROACH AND WERE OUT OF FUEL. AN INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE NON-PILOT PASSENGERS REVEALED THAT PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT THEY DISCUSSED REFUELING THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE PILOT WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD ENOUGH FUEL FOR THE TRIP. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED ONE TABLESPOON OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE MAIN FUEL SUPPLY LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2592U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2592U-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N 17250192 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-50192
- Airframe hours: 2018
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mike M.Blondeau
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 1985, 18 hours before
- Departed: AHN, ATHENS, GA
- Airport: AHN, Athens Muni, runway 9, 4,989 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 160 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AHN, 2 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 19860517017899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517017899A), May 17, 1986: Cessna 172D, Athens, GA, Destroyed. Engine failed from fuel exhaustion and aircraft struck trees during forced landing. Improper preflight procedures.

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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