# NTSB ATL97LA117: Cessna 172P, N66098, Rockhill, SC, August 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 8, 1997, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Rockhill, SC - Coordinates: 34.969512, -81.079727 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9695&lon=-81.0797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3886 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA117 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3886/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA117 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to plan and have adequate fuel 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The pilot reported that they departed with 43 gallons of fuel, of which only 40 gallons were usable. Based upon the pilot's calculations the aircraft would require only approximately 30 gallons for the flight. Both pilots were still confident that they had enough fuel to reach the destination airport. Several miles north of the destination airport, the engine sputtered several times and quit. The pilot selected a nearby plowed field for a forced landing. During the fuel system examination, no fuel was recovered, nor was there fuel spillage in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem. The engine also functioned normally during the subsequent engine run. ## Factual narrative On August 8, 1997, at 1455 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N66098, collided with the ground during a forced landing to a field two miles northeast of Bryant Field In Rock Hill, South Carolina. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The two private pilots received minor injuries. The flight departed Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, at 1100 EDT. The pilot reported that they departed with 43 gallons of fuel, of which, only 40 gallons were usable. The pilot seated in the left front seat also stated that he personally checked the fuel tanks, and they were topped off. Based upon the pilot's calculations the aircraft would use only approximately 30 gallons for the flight. The copilot reported that as the flight approached Charlotte, North Carolina, he estimated a fuel consumption rate of approximately ten gallons of fuel per hour verses the projected 7.8 gallons per hour. Despite the possible new consumption rate, both pilots were still confident that they had enough fuel to reach the destination airport. When the flight was about three miles north of Bryant Field, North Carolina, and about 3.8 hours into the flight, the engine sputtered several times and subsequently quit. The pilot reported to Charlotte Tower that the airplane had run out of fuel. The pilot selected a field for a forced landing. The airplane was damaged during the forced landing in a freshly plowed field. During the fuel system examination, no fuel was recovered nor was there fuel spillage in the immediate vicinity of the accident site. Examination of the airplane failed to disclose a mechanical problem . The engine also functioned normally during the engine run. According to the pilot seated in the left front seat, fuel conservation measures were employed during the cruise phase of the flight. The 3.8 hours of flight time did not include start, taxi, runup, takeoff and the initial climb to 2000 feet. According to the aircraft flight manual, the fuel consumption for the Cessna 172P configures as N66098 could range between 5.5 to 10 gallons per hour for all phases of flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66098](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66098-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 17275966, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-75966 - Airframe hours: 8371 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott S. Fisher - Registered owner: Proflight Center Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 1997, 16 hours before - Departed: BVI, BEAVER FALLS, PA - Destination: 29J - Airport: 29J, Rockhill ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 303 total, 200 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 25 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 19970808021559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970808021559A), Aug 8, 1997: Cessna 172P, Rock Hill, SC, Substantial damage. Improper fuel use calculation resulted fuel exhaustion. Landed on plowed field. (-23) the aircraft was on an IFR flight plan from beaver county airport (bvi),… ## Other investigations on N66098 (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC83LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA205), Aug 8, 1983: Cessna 172 (N66098), Atlantic City, NJ, substantial damage 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.