# NTSB BFO91LA071: Cessna 172G, N6002R, Fredericksburg, VA, August 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1991, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Fredericksburg, VA
- Coordinates: 38.310424, -77.400741 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3104&lon=-77.4007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11696
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11696/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA071

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE IMPROPER FUEL TANK.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT DID NOT USE THE CHECK LIST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON A FLIGHT FROM MADISON, CONNECTICUT TO FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, THE PILOT VISUALLY INSPECED THE FUEL TANKS.  HE STATED THAT THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL WHILE THE LEFT TANK WAS TWO TO THREE GALLONS SHORT OF BEING FULL. HE DEPARTED AT ABOUT 1421 EDT WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON THE BOTH POSITION.  DURING THE FLIGHT HE ALTERNATED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TANK.  HE STATED THAT HE SELECTED THE LEFT TANK FOR APPROXIMATELY 93 MINUTES AND THE RIGHT TANK FOR 74 MINUTES. AS HE CONTINUED HIS DESCENT TO HIS DESTINATION, HE KEPT THE SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK. DURING THE DESCENT THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THERE WAS SIX TO EIGHT GALLONS REMAINING IN THE RIGHT TANK.  THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD USED THE EMERGENCY CHECK LIST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6002R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6002R), registered now, S/N 17253671, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253671
- Airframe hours: 2822
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James M. Curry
- Registered owner: James M. Curry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1990, 61 hours before
- Departed: N04, MADISON, CT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 358 total, 240 in this make and model, 307 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DCA, 45 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 19910801031139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910801031139A), Aug 1, 1991: Cessna 172G, Fredericksburg, VA, Substantial damage. Ran a tank dry descending to airport engine quit. Failed switch to other with fuel. Force landed. No check list.

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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