# NTSB ATL87LA266: Cessna 172H, N3885R, Chuckey, TN, September 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1987, 15:14 local (19:14 UTC)
- Place: Chuckey, TN
- Coordinates: 36.240077, -82.710769 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2401&lon=-82.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA266
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA266

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ESTIMATED THERE WAS 9 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOK OFF. APRX 20 MIN LATER, HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A PRIVATE STRIP WHEN THE ENG LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT HE REPOSITIONED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE OTHER TANK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG (BFR BEING FORCED TO LAND). DRG THE LNDG, THE ACFT WENT THRU A BARBED WIRE FENCE & HIT A SMALL BUILDING. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE PLT'S MED CERT WAS DATED 8/10/84.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3885R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3885R-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 17255385, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-55385
- Airframe hours: 1451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cecil F. Wagner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1986, 57 hours before
- Departed: JOHNSON CITY, TN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 80; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870925059529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870925059529A), Sep 25, 1987: Cessna 172H, Chuckey, TN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel just after buzzing a private strip. Ran through 3 fences and a barn during the forced landing.

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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