# NTSB ATL88LA002: Cessna 172F, N5647R, Grand Bay, AL, October 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1987, 10:25 local (15:25 UTC)
- Place: Grand Bay, AL
- Coordinates: 30.470636, -88.340682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4706&lon=-88.3407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7647
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7647/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST PWR SHORTLY AFTER T/O. THE ENGINE REGAINED PWR AS THE PLT WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A FORCED LDG IN A FIELD. HE ABORTED THE LDG ATTEMPT AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE IT BACK TO THE AIRSTRIP. THE ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST PWR AGAIN. THE PLT STRETCHED HIS GLIDE TO AVOID IMPACTING TREES, AND INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED REMAINED TO FLARE THE ACFT PRIOR TO LDG IN ANOTHER FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK GAUGE INDICATED 'EMPTY' AND THE RT TANK GAUGE INDICATED '1/4' FULL AFTER THE ENGINE INITIALLY LOST PWR. HE NOTED THAT THE FUEL SLECTOR WAS IN THE 'BOTH' POSITION AT THE TIME. POST-CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT BY ANOTHER PLT REVEALED THAT THE LT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THAT THE RT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT A PINT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5647R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5647R-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 17253273, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253273
- Airframe hours: 3770
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allen Sykes
- Registered owner: Allen Sykes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: 5R7, BAYOU LA BATRE, AL
- Airport: Cutts Field, runway 36, 2,000 × 0 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 279 total, 10 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19871003058499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871003058499A), Oct 3, 1987: Cessna 172F, Grand Bay, AL, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on local flight. Crash landed clearing trees.

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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