# NTSB CHI02LA167: Cessna 172G, N5953R, Butler, MO, June 17, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 16, 2002, 20:51 local (Jun 17, 2002, 01:51 UTC) - Place: Butler, MO - Coordinates: 38.249046, -94.329383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2490&lon=-94.3294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02LA167 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54948/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54948 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA167 ## Probable cause The fuel exhaustion, the inadequate fuel consumption calculations by the pilot, and the inadequate in-flight planning/decision by the pilot. The unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing is a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation - terrain condition - water - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged during a forced landing on a pond and tall grass in a 1,000 foot long field. The airplane nosed over during the landing. The pilot continued past a planned refueling stop in order to take advantage of a tailwind. The flight had been en route for approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes when the pilot diverted to an alternate airport to obtain fuel. This alternate airport was approximately one hour from the intended destination. The pilot stated that the fuel gauges were indicating a 1/4 fuel remaining in each fuel tank when he decided to divert to the alternate airport. During the approach to the alternate airport , the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. Examination of the fuel system revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2002, at 2051 central daylight time, a Cessna 172G, N5953R, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a forced near Butler, Missouri. The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on a visual flight rules flight plan. The pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), Rapid City, South Dakota, at 1400 mountain daylight time (MDT), and was en route to the Springfield-Branson Regional Airport (SGF), Springfield, Missouri. The pilot stated that he refueled at RAP, visually checked that the airplane's fuel tanks were full, and departed with a planned re-fueling stop near Lincoln, Nebraska. While en route at 9,500 feet mean sea level, the flight diverted around thunderstorms over Nebraska and then encountered a 25 knot tailwind which the pilot decided to take advantage of to continue without stopping to Missouri. The pilot stated in a written statement, "...with one hour left to destination with fuel gauges showing 1/4 fuel remaining in each of two fuel tanks, I decided to cancel flight following with Kansas City Center and divert to Butler Memorial (KBUM) for fuel stop. Set A/C in 200 [foot per minute] decent to KBUM, leveled out at 3,500 msl at approx. 5 miles from KBUM on an extended left base for runway 35, when sustained a total engine failure. I immediately switched from both fuel tanks to left tank, full mixture, pumped throttle and obtained engine re-start momentarily and loss engine again. I switched to right fuel tank tried engine re-start and was unable to. I set the A/C for best extended glide (still approx. 3 miles from KBUM) at altitude of 1,500 msl, unable to make KBUM. I committed a landing in a hay field (with high grass). At approx. 20 feet above field, speed reducing below 45 mph lost lift and with full yoke back touched down hard in high grass and struck a water pond with nose gear flipping A/C tail over coming to rest on N/E side edge of pond, up-side down." The field was approximately 1,000 feet long and down sloped toward the center where there was a stock pond about 15 feet across. Inspection of the airplane's fuel system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that there was no fuel in the fuel tanks. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he departed approximately 1400 MDT from RAP. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5953R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5953R-2008-02-21), registration cancelled 2008-02-21, S/N 17253622, 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: 17253622 - Airframe hours: 2577 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Rosselit - Registered owner: Rosselit Enterprises, L. L. P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2002, 200 hours before - Departed: RAP, Rapid City, SD - Destination: SGF, Springfield, MO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BUM, Butler Memorial ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 29, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 1,200 total, 657 in this make and model, 1,122 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 20020616037329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020616037329A), Jun 16, 2002: Cessna 172G, Butler, MO, Substantial damage. (-23) The flight originated in rapid city, south dakota, and after about 5 hours in the air the pilot decided to refuel at Butler, Missouri. During letdown to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54948. 325 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 325 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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. --- 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.