# NTSB CHI08CA157: Cessna 172C, N1437Y, Nortonville, ND, June 4, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2008, 10:56 local (15:56 UTC) - Place: Nortonville, ND - Coordinates: 46.616664, -98.666664 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6167&lon=-98.6667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Fargo, ND FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68265 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68265/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA157 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight which resulted in insufficient fuel on board to complete the flight. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to takeoff the pilot checked the fuel quantity using the gauges which were indicating a quarter tank of fuel on the left side, and a half tank of fuel on the right side. He did not visually check the quantity by looking in the tanks. The pilot recalled that approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the left fuel tank was indicating less than one-eight of a tank, and the right tank was indicating between one-quarter and one-half of a tank. He stated that shortly thereafter the engine stopped producing power. He checked the magnetos and switched fuel tanks, but did not apply carburetor heat. When he switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank position, the engine momentarily "seemed like it would start, but it did not." The pilot lined the airplane up to land on a road, then noticed power lines crossing the road. He then selected an open field in which to land. He maneuvered the airplane to line up parallel with the plowed rows, and said he did not have enough time to extend the flaps. The airplane nosed over when the nose wheel dug into the soft terrain. Postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed a total of less than 1-quart of fuel was on the airplane. There was no indication of fuel leaking from the airplane following the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 2008, at 1056 central daylight time, a Cessna 172C, N1437Y, nosed over during an off-airport landing in Nortonville, North Dakota, following a loss of engine power. The pilot received minor injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Bismarck, North Dakota, at 0949, with an intended destination of Lisbon, North Dakota. The pilot reported that prior to departing Bismarck he checked the fuel levels using the fuel gauges which were indicating a quarter tank of fuel on the left side, and a half tank of fuel on the right side. He stated he did not visually check the quantity by looking in the tanks, and that he recently had the fuel quantity indicators calibrated. The pilot stated that approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the left fuel tank was indicating less than one-eight of a tank and the right tank was indicating between one-quarter and one-half of a tank. He stated that shortly thereafter the engine stopped producing power. The pilot reported he checked the magnetos and switched fuel tanks, but did not apply carburetor heat. He stated that when he switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank position, the engine momentarily "seemed like it would start, but it did not." The pilot lined the airplane up to land on a road, but noticed power lines crossing the road. He then selected an open field in which to land. He stated he maneuvered the airplane to line up parallel with the plowed rows and that he did not have enough time to extend the flaps. The airplane nosed over when the nose wheel dug into the soft terrain. A post accident inspection of the airplane was conducted by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Fargo, North Dakota, Flight Standards District Office. The inspectors reported there was no smell of fuel present at the accident site and no indications of fuel leakage from the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed a total of less than 1-quart (32 oz) of fuel was present on the airplane following the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1437Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1437Y-2012-08-23), registration cancelled 2012-08-23, S/N 17249137, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17249137 - Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Duane A. Sand - Registered owner: Shawn E. Fletcher - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BIS, Bismarck, ND - Destination: 6L3, Lisbon, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 130 total, 130 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.55 inHg - Observed at: JMS, 23 nm away 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.