# NTSB BFO86FA020: Cessna 172H, N2780L, Upper Marlboro, MD, March 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1986, 00:16 local (05:16 UTC)
- Place: Upper Marlboro, MD
- Coordinates: 38.809864, -76.750495 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8099&lon=-76.7505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FA020

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

SINCE THE FUEL GAGES IN THE ACFT WERE KNOWN NOT TO BE ACCURATE, THE PLT MEASURED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN EACH TANK WITH A DIPSTICK BEFORE DEPARTING. HE DETERMINED THAT HE HAD 18 GALLONS FOR THE 2 HOURS OF FLYING HE PLANNED TO DO AND BASED ON A FUEL CONSUMPTION RATE OF 5 GPH HE WOULD HAVE 8 GALLONS TO SPARE. THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL SHORT OF HIS DESTINATION AND NOSED OVER IN A FIELD DURING THE ENSUING LANDING. USING A CESSNA AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE CHART THAT WAS IN THE ACFT, THE CONSUMPTION RATE FOR THE ENGINE RUNNING AT 75% POWER AT 2500 FEET MSL WAS 8.5 GPH. THE 8.5 GPH DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FUEL REQUIRED FOR ENG START, TAXI AND CLIMB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2780L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2780L-2009-07-20), registration cancelled 2009-07-20, S/N 17255980, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255980
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles M. Gage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 27, 1985
- Departed: REH, REHOBOTH BEACH, DE
- Destination: W32, CLINTON, MD
- Airport: W32, Hydefield

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 58 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADW, 4 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 19860312005979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860312005979A), Mar 12, 1986: Cessna 172H, Rosaryville, MD, Substantial damage. Estimated fuel at 18 gallons before starting 2 hour flight. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion before 2 hours.

## Other investigations on N2780L (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 IAD71FID18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71FID18), Jan 26, 1971: Cessna 172 (N2780L), Petersburg, VA, 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.

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