# NTSB CHI87DEX06: Cessna 172E, N5514T, Huntingburg, IN, May 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1987, 15:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Huntingburg, IN
- Coordinates: 38.289775, -86.949684 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2898&lon=-86.9497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEX06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEX06

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - comm/nav equipment,vor receiver - erratic (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT'S NAV EQUIP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY & THE PLT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. HE REQUESTED A DF STEER, BUT HAD DIFFICULTY RECEIVING TRANSMISSIONS ON HIS RECEIVER. HE SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED ASSISTANCE & VECTORS TOWARD THE HUNTINGBURG ARPT; HOWEVER, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION BEFORE REACHING THE ARPT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING IN A WOODED AREA ABOUT 2 MI FROM THE ARPT. ONLY ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS AFTER THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5514T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5514T-2006-04-19), registration cancelled 2006-04-19, S/N 17251414, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251414
- Airframe hours: 3048
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Holt / Ken Mudd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: 3WE, ST LOUIS, MO
- Destination: EVV, EVANSVILLE, IN
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 130 total, 130 in this make and model, 81 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EVV, 28 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 19870531017429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870531017429A), May 31, 1987: Cessna 172E, Huntingburg, IN, Substantial damage. Became lost. Unable to locate airport,vectored by ATC. Ran out of fuel. Crashed in trees. Radios were intermittent.

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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