# NTSB ATL93LA034: Cessna 172H, N8819Z, Columbus, GA, December 12, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1992, 19:54 local (Dec 12, 1992, 00:54 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, GA
- Coordinates: 32.549217, -84.919067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5492&lon=-84.9191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8709
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8709/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA034

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PLAN A REFUELING STOP FOR THE FLIGHT WHICH RESULTED IN THE COMPLETE EXHAUSTION OF THE FUEL SUPPLY AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE OPERATOR, THE STUDENT PILOT AND HIS FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR COMPLETED THE PREFLIGHT PLANNING WHICH INCLUDED COMPUTING REQUIRED FUEL. THE FLIGHT PLANNING CONCLUDED THAT THE PILOT HAD AMPLE FUEL PLUS APPROXIMATELY 1.7 HOURS OF FUEL UPON RETURNING TO COLUMBUS. THE ENGINE QUIT ON APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES TWO MILES SHORT OF COLLUMBUS. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO DISCLOSE A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE STUDENT PILOT FLEW THE AIRPLANE 4.7 HOURS PRIOR TO THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT ALSO FAILED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE ADDITIONAL FLIGHT TIME ABOVE THE PLANNED FLIGHT TIME REQUIRED FOR THE FLIGHT.

## 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)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8819Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8819Z-1994-05-24), registration cancelled 1994-05-24, S/N 17255469 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255469
- Airframe hours: 4541
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Columbus Flight Academy
- Registered owner: Corporate Air Transport, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 7, 1992, 54 hours before
- Departed: MCN, MACON, GA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 40 in this make and model, 22 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 310° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 2 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 19921211049899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921211049899A), Dec 11, 1992: Cessna 172H, Columbus, GA, Substantial damage. Student ran out of fuel two miles short of runway on return from solo crosscountry training flight.

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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