# NTSB ATL86LA017: Cessna 172 M, N73171, Moncks Corner, SC, November 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1985, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Moncks Corner, SC
- Coordinates: 33.189838, -79.989654 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1898&lon=-79.9897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR THE INITIAL ILS APPROACH TO CHARLESTON, SC (CHS). ATTEMPTS BY THE PLT TO REGAIN PWR FAILED AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SWAMPY FIELD A FEW MILES NORTH OF CHS. THE ACFT NOSED OVER INVERTED AS IT CAME TO A STOP AND REMAINED THAT WAY UNTIL IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SITE 3 DAYS LATER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED ABOUT 6 TO 8 OUNCES OF FUEL IN THE FUEL SYSTEM AND NO CONTAMINATION WAS DETECTED. A TOTAL OF 4 GALLONS OF FUEL WAS THEN ADDED TO THE TWO WING TANKS. THE ENGINE WAS READILY STARTED, USING THE ACFT BATTERY, AND IT RAN SMOOTHLY AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF ROUGHNESS. THE ENGINE WAS RUN TO FULL POWER AND NO DEFECTS WERE NOTED. FOLLOWING SHUTDOWN, AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED NO LEAKS. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS TOPPED OFF PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND SHOULD HAVE HAD 5 HRS OF FUEL. THE PILOT REPORTED THE TOTAL ENGINE RUNNING TIME AT 4 HRS 40 MINUTES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73171](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73171), registered now, S/N 17267298, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267298
- Airframe hours: 3809
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Usaf Andrews Bollinc Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 25, 1985, 28 hours before
- Departed: ADW, ANDREWS AFB, DC
- Destination: CHS, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CHS, Charleston, runway 15

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 501 total, 63 in this make and model, 451 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHS, 13 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 19851103057299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103057299A), Nov 3, 1985: Cessna 172M, Moncks Corner, SC, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel while being vectored for ILS. Flipped over in swamp. Usable fuel computed from other model book.

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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