# NTSB ATL86LLQ01: Cessna 172, N20273, London, KY, October 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1985, 18:08 local (22:08 UTC)
- Place: London, KY
- Coordinates: 37.120037, -84.079277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1200&lon=-84.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LLQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LLQ01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING A X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT HAD ENCOUNTERED WX AND IN ATTEMPTING TO REACH AN ALTERNATE ARPT THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AND THE WX AT LONDON WAS 600 FT OVERCAST WITH VISIBILITY 2 MILES IN FOG AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FUEL DRAINED FROM THE ACFT AFTER THE ACCIDENT WAS 1 QT FROM THE LEFT TANK WHICH WAS IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE RAN THE RT TANK DRY EN ROUTE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20273](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20273-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N 17261149, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17261149
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Strongsville City Aviation
- Registered owner: Berea Aviation Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 30, 1985, 0 hours before
- Airport: LOZ, London, runway 5, 6,000 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 562 total, 15 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOZ, 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 19851003069849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851003069849A), Oct 3, 1985: Cessna 172M, London, KY, Substantial damage. VFR pilot was being vectored to IFR airport when engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Crash landed.

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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