# NTSB CEN17LA060: Cessna 175C, N8381T, Millersburg, OH, December 21, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 2016, 10:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Millersburg, OH
- Coordinates: 40.536666, -81.955833 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5367&lon=-81.9558&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 6, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards
- NTSB case key (mKey): 94527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94527/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94527
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA060

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper in-flight fuel management and his failure to switch the fuel selector to the “both” position in accordance with the Before Landing checklist, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md)
- [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 175C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072508), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that, after takeoff, he switched to the left fuel tank for the cruise portion of the flight. He added that, about 5 miles from the destination airport, he completed the Before Landing checklist; however, he "failed to position the fuel selector to [the] both" position at that time, which "set the stage for fuel exhaustion." The engine subsequently lost power. He checked the fuel selector, found that it was still set to the left tank, and moved it to the right tank. He subsequently executed a forced landing to an open area at the base of a hill, during which the airplane impacted a fence and sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane preceded the accident. The pilot's failure to move the fuel selector handle to the "both" position in accordance with the Before Landing checklist resulted in the loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

## Factual narrative

On December 21, 2016, about 1020 eastern standard time, a Cessna 175C airplane, N8381T, impacted a fence post and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on approach to the Holmes County Airport (10G), Millersburg, Ohio. The pilot sustained a minor injury and the passenger was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Davis Airport (W50), Laytonsville, Maryland, about 0700 and was destined for 10G.The pilot reported that he conducted a "thorough preflight" inspection before takeoff from W50. The fuel samples drained from the airplane fuel system did not contain any contamination. After takeoff, the pilot switched to the left fuel tank for the cruise portion of the flight. About 5 miles from 10G, he completed the before landing checklist. However, he "failed to position the fuel selector to [the] both" position at that time, which "set the stage for fuel exhaustion." On final approach, about 1/3 of a mile from the runway about 1,600 ft mean sea level, the engine lost power. He checked the fuel selector, found it still set to the left tank and changed it to the right tank. He subsequently executed a forced landing to an open area at the base of a hill. The pilot stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures preceded the accident. The airplane came to rest adjacent to a wire mesh fence. The nose landing gear separated, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the engine mount and firewall were deformed during the forced landing. The right wing was partially separated from the fuselage at the aft spar attachment. The right wing also exhibited a leading edge dent consistent with impact to a fence post. The left wing was deformed upward near the wing tip consistent with ground contact due to the collapsed landing gear. The airplane owner's manual specified that the fuel selector should be set to the "both on" position before landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8381T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8381T), registered now, S/N 17557081 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175C (C)
- Registry model: [Cessna 175C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175c) (registry code 2072508) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17557081
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 2169
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 28, 2015, 99 hours before
- Departed: W50, Laytonsville, MD
- Destination: 10G, Millersburg, OH
- Airport: 10G, Holmes County, runway 27, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,500 total, 5,481 in this make and model, 10,737 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observed at: 10G, 1 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 20161221023049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161221023049A), Dec 21, 2016: Cessna 175C, Millersburg, OH, Substantial damage. Statement from pilot given to Holmes county deputy stated. On final to runway 27 at 10G airport, 1/2 mile with flaps full down, executed before landing check.…

## Docket (10 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94527. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 320 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 237 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453388&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF
- Accident Site Map (FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453389&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Map%20(FAA)-Master.PDF
- Accident Site Diagram (Sheriff's Office) (item 5, .PDF, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Diagram%20(Sheriff%27s%20Office)-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records - Airframe (Excerpts) (item 6, .PDF, 641 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453391&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Airframe%20(Excerpts)-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records - Engine (Excerpts) (item 7, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453392&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Engine%20(Excerpts)-Master.PDF
- Maintenance Records - Propeller (Excerpts) (item 8, .PDF, 284 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20-%20Propeller%20(Excerpts)-Master.PDF
- Airplane Owner's Manual - Excerpt (item 9, .PDF, 839 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453394&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF
- Weather Documentation (item 10, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453395&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Documentation-Master.PDF

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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