# NTSB BFO85FA042: Cessna 175, N7027E, Princefrederick, MD, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 17:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Princefrederick, MD
- Coordinates: 38.54079, -76.57917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5408&lon=-76.5792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11132
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11132/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT FLEW 2:15 FROM CAMBRIDGE, MD, TO SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA, EARLIER ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND WAS 2 HRS INTO THE RETURN FLT WHEN AT 5500 FT OVER PRINCE FREDERICK, MD, THE ENG LOST PWR DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION, ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGER. THE APCH TO THE PRIVATE STRIP SELECTED FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS TOO HIGH, THE PLT STATED, AND TOUCHDOWN WAS BETWEEN HALF AND TWO-THIRDS DOWN THE 1850 FT RWY. THE ACFT COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE REMAINING RWY AND AN ATTEMPT TO TURN RIGHT AND AVOID TREES WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED MAINTENANCE ON THE FUEL GAGES ON 4/29/85. THE LEFT FUEL GAGE SENDER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AT THAT TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER, A STUDENT PLT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAGES WERE FUNCTIONING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7027E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7027E-1989-01-18), registration cancelled 1989-01-18, S/N 56527 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56527
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-C 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William F. Brohawn, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1984, 35 hours before
- Departed: W91, MONETA, VA
- Destination: CGE, CAMBRIDGE, MD
- Airport: Cedar Beach Farm, runway 14, 1,850 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 307 total, 27 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 20 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 19850505019189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505019189A), May 5, 1985: Cessna 175A, Prince Frederic, MD, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Overshot nearby private strip from 5000 feet. Fuel quantity gauges inoperative.

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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