# NTSB CHI83LA121: Cessna 172, N738HH, Galesburg, IL, February 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1983, 22:50 local (Feb 25, 1983, 04:50 UTC)
- Place: Galesburg, IL
- Location: 40.9502° N, 90.3766° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Galesburg, IL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9502&lon=-90.3766&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): 12097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA121

## 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)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT DURING CRUISE, THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH. HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT & INITIATED EMERGENCY PROCEDURE, AND THEN ENGINE POWER WAS RESTORED. HOWEVER, A SHORT TIME LATER, POWER WAS LOST AGAIN. DURING A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE ACFT ROLLED INTO A STUMP & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYS REVEALED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738HH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N738HH), registered now, S/N 17269986, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269986
- Airframe hours: 688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert A. Mccullough
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 17, 1982, 37 hours before
- Departed: FWA, FORT WAYNE, IN
- Airport: GBG, Galesburg, runway 2, 5,793 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 48 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830224006539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830224006539A), Feb 24, 1983: Cessna 172N, Galesburg, IL, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed during emergency landing after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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