# NTSB ATL88LA049: Cessna 172H, N2522L, Paducah, KY, December 1, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 30, 1987, 23:38 local (Dec 1, 1987, 05:38 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.070526, -88.629379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0705&lon=-88.6294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7682/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - charts/other manuals - inaccurate (contributing factor)
  - flight advisories - inaccurate (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - airport operations - reduced
  - information unavailable, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ABT 20 MI FROM PADUCAH (PAH), THE PLT CONTACTED THE FSS & SAID THE ACFT WAS LOW ON FUEL & THAT HE INTENDED TO LAND AT PAH. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FBO AT PAH WAS CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT & FUEL WAS AVAILABLE ONLY IF A $25 CALL-OUT FEE WAS PAID. ALSO, HE WAS TOLD THAT FUEL WAS AVAILABLE AT NEARBY FARRINGTON AIRPARK (KY29) & THAT IT WAS OPEN FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. THE PLT ELECTED TO CONT TO KY29, WHICH WAS ABOUT 12 MI BEYOND PAH. HE SAW THE ARPT BEACON, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RWY. AS HE WAS MANEUVERING TO FIND THE RWY, THE ENG LOST PWR FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN TREES & CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN ABOVE THE TERRAIN. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE RWY LIGHTING HRS AT KY29 HAD BEEN CHANGED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AT AROUND MIDNIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE ARPT/FACILITY DIRECTORY, OPERATING HRS FOR THE RWY LIGHTS WERE FROM SUNSET TO SUNRISE. HOWEVER, ARPT MANAGEMENT PSNL FOR KY29 HAD NOT NOTIFIED THE FAA OF THE CHANGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2522L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2522L-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 17255722, 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: 17255722
- Airframe hours: 4881
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles R.Millard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 1987, 11 hours before
- Departed: SWO, STILLWATER, OK
- Destination: PAH, PADUCAH, KY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: KY29, Farrington Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 854 total, 401 in this make and model, 757 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 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 19871130082359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871130082359A), Nov 30, 1987: Cessna STC172, Paducah, KY, Substantial damage. Impacted trees on a forced landing due to fuel exhaustion. Stopped nose down. Runway lights not on as fss expected

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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