# NTSB ATL89LA039: Cessna 172, N2840Q, Pikeville, KY, November 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 19:45 local (Nov 18, 1988, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Pikeville, KY
- Location: 37.4769° N, 82.5288° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pikeville, KY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4769&lon=-82.5288&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA039

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD FLOWN ABOUT 3.7 HOURS AND WAS ABOUT 2 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND HE WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A SWAMP. THE PILOT HAD TOPPED OFF THE ACFT SO THAT IT CONTAINED 42 GALLONS OF FUEL (38 GALLONS OF USABLE FUEL). THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION INDICATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS TOTALLY VOID OF FUEL. THE PILOT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO LAND AT ANOTHER AIRPORT TO REFUEL EVEN THOUGH THE FLIGHT CAME WITHIN 5 MILES OF AN AIRPORT WHERE THERE WAS FUEL AVAILABLE. THE PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY COMPUTE HIS FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE EXISTING HEADWIND CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2840Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2840Q-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N 17259840 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259840
- Airframe hours: 2216
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Twin Eagle Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: HGR, HAGERSTOWN, MD
- Destination: PIKEVILLE, KY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 175 in this make and model, 145 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOZ

## 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 19881117051049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881117051049A), Nov 17, 1988: Cessna 172L, Pikeville, KY, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination at night. Crash landed in a swamp. Aircraft had nosed over.

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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