# NTSB CHI84LA318: Cessna 172, N3891S, Urbana, OH, July 29, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1984, 13:07 local (17:07 UTC)
- Place: Urbana, OH
- Coordinates: 40.099441, -83.749153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0994&lon=-83.7492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE ARRIVED AT HIS FLIGHT PLANNED DESTINATION 15 MINUTES EARLY SO HE CONTINUED THE FLIGHT AN ADDITIONAL HOUR. THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO THE RWY AT THE REVISED DESTINATION ARPT. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALT AND THE LANDING GEAR CONTACTED TREES. THE ACFT LANDED SHORTOF THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE TTL FLT TIME WAS 5.4 HRS. THE PLT STATED THAT EITHER THE FUEL FLOW ENROUTE WAS GREATER THAN EXPECTED OR THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT FULL WHEN HE DEPARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3891S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3891S-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 17251091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251091
- Airframe hours: 5345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Free State Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1984, 46 hours before
- Departed: H42, MEXICO, MO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 174, Grimes, runway 5, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 733 total, 416 in this make and model, 620 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °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 19840729060289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840729060289A), Jul 29, 1984: Cessna 172E, Urbana, OH, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final approach for landing from fuel exhaustion. Aircraft hit trees and pitched nose down.

## Other investigations on N3891S (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI91LA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA269), Aug 22, 1991: Cessna 172E (N3891S), Harbor Springs, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS HIS DELAY IN INITIATING THE GO-AROUND.
- [NTSB NYC79FFA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FFA06), Dec 28, 1978: Cessna 172 (N3891S), Albany, NY, substantial damage

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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