# NTSB ATL87LA145: Cessna 172RG, N6363R, Ozark, AL, May 22, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1987, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Ozark, AL
- Location: 31.4591° N, 85.6405° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ozark, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4591&lon=-85.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA145

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, dual student (cause)
  - inadequate training, dual student (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - utility pole

## Analysis

THE INST PLT INDICATED THAT DURING AIRWORK PROCEDURES PRACTICE IN THE LCL AREA, THE RIGHT WING SEEMED TO BE HEAVY. HE INDICATED THAT HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM BOTH TO RIGHT TANK. AFTER ABOUT 20-30 MINUTES, THEY RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND ENTERED DOWNWIND FOR LDG. THE STUDENT PERFORMED A BEFORE LDG CK AND WHILE ON FINAL, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE ACFT WAS BELOW THE DESIRED FLIGHT PATH. AN ATTEMPT TO ADD PWR WAS MADE WITH NO RESPONSE. A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED, HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORT OF THE APT. THE STUDENT HAD MOVED THE FUEL SEL TO THE BOTH POSITION DURING THE PRE LDG CK. THE SELECTOR WAS BINDING WHEN MOVED FM THE RIGHT TANK POSITION TOWARD LEFT AND BOTH. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STUDENT PLT INDICATED THAT HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE USE OF THE TANK SELECTOR DETENTS AT VARIOUS SELECTOR POSITIONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR REPORTEDLY WAS NOT MOVED DURING THE ATTEMPTED RESTART PROCEDURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6363R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6363R-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 172RG0170 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0170
- Airframe hours: 2290
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Alabama Aviation & Technical
- Registered owner: Dennis L Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 25, 1987, 13 hours before
- Airport: 71J, Blackwell, runway 12, 4,200 × 80 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 649 total, 15 in this make and model, 497 as pilot in command, 228 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 10 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 19870522015719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522015719A), May 22, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Ozark, AL, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel starvation and the aircraft hit trees. The instructor failed to check fuel selector.

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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