# NTSB ATL96LA001: Cessna 172M, N9553H, Savannah, GA, October 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1995, 14:26 local (18:26 UTC) - Place: Savannah, GA - Coordinates: 32.020984, -81.140563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0210&lon=-81.1406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 11, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL96LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3662/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL96LA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, and his failure to maintain clearance from an obstacle (road sign) during the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - sign - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis After requesting fuel availability for various airport's from Savannah Approach Control, the pilot declared an emergency and landed at the Hunter Army Air Field. After landing, he taxied to a remote part of the airport and removed hand made fuel lines connecting three six gallon tanks to the left wing tank. These additional tanks were stored where the rear seat had been installed. The pilot did not refuel the aircraft prior to takeoff, and after departure, the engine began to run rough. He elected to execute a precautionary landing along Savannah's Highway 516, where the aircraft collided with a road sign. The pilot then lost control, and the aircraft skidded into a guard rail and flipped over. Two pilots were aboard the aircraft. Both repeatedly changed their stories concerning who they were, and what transpired prior to the accident. An FAA examiner stated that there was approximately fifteen gallons of automotive fuel in the aircraft's right wing, and no fuel in the left wing. He also stated that the aircraft appeared to have been configured for transportation of unauthorized material. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1995, about 1426 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N9553H, collided with an interstate highway sign, following a loss of engine power, at Savannah, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Hunter Army Air Field, Savannah, Georgia, moments before the accident. The inspectors from the Georgia Flight Standards District Office who spoke with the pilot and examined the wreckage reported the following. The pilot's statement was inconsistent, stating at various times that the flight was destined for various locations. The rear seats had been removed from the airplane, having been replaced by a portable tank with connected hoses. Additionally, there was a lack of fuel at the accident site, even though the airplane came to rest inverted, and one wing was separated. Prior to the accident, the flight had been in contact with Savannah Approach Control, requesting fuel availability information at certain airports. An engine malfunction was reported, and an emergency landing was made at Hunter Army Air Field. Shortly after landing, the pilot removed the hoses that were connected to the extra fuel tanks. The pilot stated that once the airplane was airborne again, the engine began to run roughly. The pilot elected to perform a precautionary landing, where the airplane collided with a highway sign, before impacting the ground and nosing over. Local police reported the accident to a Savannah air traffic facility. Post crash investigation revealed that fifteen gallons of automotive fuel was found in the aircraft's right wing. No fuel was found in the left wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9553H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9553H-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 17266224, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266224 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John W. Wang - Registered owner: The Morgeist Group - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1995 - Departed: UNK, HUNTER ARMY A/F, GA - Airport: SVN, Hunter Army Air Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 550 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SVN, 3 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 19951001030779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951001030779A), Oct 1, 1995: Cessna 172M, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. On landing lost power, hit sign on highway. Nosed over. Aux tank in cabin not connected. Left tank empty. No STC. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.