# NTSB ATL90LA048: Cessna 172B, N7401X, Killen, AL, January 7, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 7, 1990, 14:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Killen, AL
- Coordinates: 34.860328, -87.519577 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8603&lon=-87.5196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA048

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PRE-FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING CRUISE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN FLOWN FROM JOLIET, IL TO PULASKI, TN. AFTER LANDING THE PIC WAS TOLD FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE DEPARTED TO FLY TO MUSCLE SHOALS, AL, 37 MI SW OF PULASKI ABOUT 8 MI FROM MUSCLE SHOALS THE ENGINE QUIT. UPON DEPARTURE FROM JOLIET THE FUEL WAS FULL & ENDURANCE WAS EXPECTED TO BE 4+30 HOURS. THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WA REPORTED AS 1435. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE & FOUND NO FUEL IN THE GASCOLATOR OF THE INVERTED AIRPLANE. HE REPORTED THAT THE PIC STATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE THAT THE FUEL HAD BEEN EXHAUSTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7401X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7401X-1990-05-25), registration cancelled 1990-05-25, S/N 17247901 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-47901
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harland & Delores Keppel
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1989, 13 hours before
- Departed: GZS, PULASKI, TN
- Destination: MSL, MUSCLE SHOALS, AL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 550 total, 550 in this make and model, 475 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 9 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 19900107000189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900107000189A), Jan 7, 1990: Cessna 172B, Killen, AL, Substantial damage. No fuel at en route fueling stop. Departed with low fuel to another airport,ran out of fuel. Nosed over 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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